5 Ways to Prevent Pediatric Dental Emergencies in the New Year

No one expects a dental emergency for their child, but it can happen. Fortunately, the new year gives us a chance to focus on prevention and make sure our kids are safe from dental issues like cavities, fractures and gum disease. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 ways to prevent pediatric dental emergencies in the new year — but also what you can do if an emergency does occur.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental checkup consists of routine cleaning, X-rays, and consultation every six months. A dental emergency is anything but routine. With dental emergencies, usually obvious and immediate action is necessary to address severe pain, discomfort, or trauma to the mouth that may cause bleeding and lacerations to the gums and dislodge or fracture teeth. Some instances, like lost fillings, chipped veneers, or broken dental appliances, while extremely inconvenient — don’t constitute an emergency. Common pediatric dental emergencies include:

– Cavities

– Fractured teeth

– Abscesses (infections)

– Toothaches and pain

– Gum disease

5 Ways to Prevent Pediatric Dental Emergencies in the New Year 

While we don’t anticipate dental emergencies for our kids, it’s important to take preventative measures to minimize the risk. Here are five simple steps that can help:

1. Create a routine oral hygiene plan and stick to it.

The first way to prevent a pediatric dental emergency is to create a dental hygiene routine and stick to it. This means brushing your child’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once per day, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. This can help prevent emergencies like cavities, gum disease, and toothache pain.

2. Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.

Regular dental checkups are key to preventing pediatric dental emergencies. Dental hygienists can detect early signs of decay or other issues that can cause an emergency in the future. Professional cleanings can also remove plaque buildup that can lead to cavities and other problems.

3. Monitor your child’s diet closely.

Limiting sugary snacks and drinks is one of the best ways you can help prevent dental emergencies in the new year. Sugary foods can promote bacteria growth, leading to cavities and other issues. Instead, opt for healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables and yogurt.

4. If your child plays sports, make sure they wear a mouthguard.

Mouthguards are essential to protecting your child’s teeth if they play contact sports. Without a mouthguard, even minor collisions can cause dental trauma that could require expensive and extensive treatments.

5. Talk to your dentist about sealants and fluoride varnishes.

Sealants and fluoride varnishes are treatments that can help prevent cavities and other dental emergencies. Sealants are thin protective coatings placed over the surface of molars to protect them from decay, while fluoride varnishes help strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity.

What to Do if Your Child Experiences a Dental Emergency

If your child does experience a dental emergency, the most important thing to do is to stay calm and take action quickly. Depending on the type of emergency, you’ll want to call your dentist or visit an emergency room as soon as possible. Your dentist will be able to provide treatment or refer you to a specialist who can help. Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients so be sure to call your dentist and provide as much detail as you can about your condition. If the accident occurs when your dental office is not open, visit your local emergency room. The American Dental Association provides some information on how to handle different emergency situations:

Q: What do I do if my child knocks out a tooth?

Answer: If the tooth is a baby tooth, the best thing to do is find the tooth, keep it moist and get to a dentist. Your dentist can see whether the entire tooth, or just part of it, came out. Your dentist can also determine whether to implant it again.

Q: What if I crack my tooth?

Answer: For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Q: If I bite my tongue or lip, how do I treat it?

Answer: If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. See your dentist or go to the emergency room if there is excessive bleeding, the bleeding won’t stop or you are in a lot of pain.

Q: How do I treat a toothache?

Answer: For toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on your aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.

Q: How do I remove an object that’s stuck in my mouth or teeth?

Answer: For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with a sharp or pointed instrument. The item might be painful or cause an infection, so see your dentist if you cannot remove it.

Make an Appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles

At Li’l Sunshine Smiles, we are experts in pediatric dentistry and understand the importance of preventive care. We can help you develop a plan to prevent dental emergencies this year. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!