Parents often feel some confusion over what is considered a dental emergency and what isn’t. To clarify, a broken/chipped/fractured tooth, pain in a tooth, teeth or jaw bone, mouth swelling, mouth bleeding that doesn’t stop or other dental issue that causes your child pain is considered a dental emergency. If your child faces a dental emergency, give Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry a call immediately. We are here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk.
If your child has undergone trauma to a tooth or her mouth, she should be seen as soon as possible by a member of our friendly team. This is because often trauma isn’t visible but has occurred below the gumline. Injuries can show up on a dental x-ray that you wouldn’t see without one.
An impact that is strong enough to knock out a tooth may mean that your child has sustained more of an injury than you might think. Call 911 for help if necessary.If your child looses a permanent or “adult” tooth, it is important to keep it moist bu putting it in a container with milk. You can also choose to store some tooth preservation product recommended by the American Dental Association to keep on hand. After, come to our Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry office right away. A primary (baby tooth) does not require moisture. However, bring it to the dentist.
For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water. This helps to clean out the area. After, apply a cold compress to the face to help reduce swelling and discomfort. Again, see Dr. Cat as soon as possible.
Depending on the severity of the bite, this kind of injury may or may not necessitate a trip to our office. If your child bites his tongue or lip, first clean the area gently with water. Then, apply a cold compress. Watch the tongue or lip for swelling or any noticeable changes.
Toothaches remain one of the most common dental emergencies. To treat, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water. Then, use floss to gently try to remove debris that may be stuck between the teeth–a common culprit for pain. Don’t poke your child’s toothache with anything sharp. Watch the pain. If it grows worse or if a fever sets in, call Dr. Botero immediately. It could be an infection.
If you are suspicious that your child broker his jaw, start with cold compresses to control the swelling. Then, proceed to Dr. Botero’s office or to a hospital emergency department immediately.
Take the time to teach your children about the importance of safety and safety protocols. Consider the following essential guidelines to teach your children:
Statistically, at some point, parents, your child suffer some form of oral trauma. Knowing the common protocol for dental emergencies can keep you levelheaded. Any dental injury, even a minor one, requires examination by a dentist immediately. Neighboring teeth can suffer an additional, unnoticed injury only detectable by a thorough dental exam.
Remember, stay calm but be ready to act. When dental emergencies occur, call our office at (813) 576-0200. And, we can help talk you through what is going on. If you are unable to reach us, use the above tips and guidelines on what to do during a dental emergency.