Ten Kids' Dental Emergencies and What to Do Right Away

As a parent, you watch your kid’s teeth grow from infanthood. That’s why it’s difficult to see them experiencing fractured teeth, toothache, or other dental emergencies. But you need to know what to do and who to contact during an emergency.

To empower you in time of crisis, we have put together the common issues that may occur along with the steps you can take at the moment that follows. Then, read on how to handle your kid’s dental emergencies for the best outcome possible.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek

Chomping down your lip, tongue or cheek mid-bit is annoying and painful. Though minor, this incident elicits some major shrieks from your kids, even the oldest children. If this happens, keep calm.

You should start by cleaning the area gently with water. Then, apply a cold compress to the site to control and minimize any swelling. If the affected spot is bleeding, apply gentle pressure using a clean gauze or cloth.

However, in severe cases, pressure alone won’t be enough. Contact a pediatric dentist near you for an emergency visit.

Knocked-out Baby Tooth

In many cases, when a baby’s tooth is knocked out, it’s not considered an emergency. However, a call to your dental office may be needed. It’s helpful to save the tooth and bring it to the appointment.

Knocked-out Permanent Tooth

If your kid has one or more permanent teeth knocked out, this qualifies as a dental emergency. However, check your kid for other more serious injuries because knocked-out teeth can be a side effect of head trauma.

If you can locate the tooth, take it by the crown only to avoid touching the root. Also, keep the tooth moist. If you can position it back into its socket, let your child hold the tooth in place by biting on a small piece of gauze down.

If you can’t reposition the tooth, place it in a saline solution or milk container and visit our Kids First Dental dentist immediately.

Potentially Broken or Fractured Jaw

If you suspect your kid’s jaw might be potentially fractured or broken, gently apply a cold press to control swelling and prevent their jaw from moving. Then, call an emergency dentist near you immediately for an emergency visit.

Severe Blow to the Head

If your kid experiences a severe blow to the head, there is likely to be some form of dental trauma involved. Therefore, you must get your child to the nearest hospital emergency room as fast as possible.

This dental issue requires more intensive treatment than what a kids dentist near your emergency care can provide.

Severe Toothache

Sometimes tooth pain is caused by a piece of food stuck in your child’s tooth. If your child complains of a toothache, rinse their mouth with water to clean it. Also, use dental floss to dislodge any piece of food you find. If this isn’t the reason for toothache, your kid might be suffering from an abscess, cavity, or another issue. Contact Dr. Brown immediately for emergency treatment.

Tooth Sensitivity

If your child is sensitive to cold or hot foods, there are myriad reasons. There could be a cavity or an injury behind the jabs of sharp pain they experience when the kids bite down on an afflicting food. It is best to schedule an emergency visit to our kids’ dentist in Martinsville, VA, for your child to be examined and the root cause of the issue to be determined and treated.

Object Stuck in Mouth

If an object gets stuck in your kid’s mouth, gently remove it with floss. However, don’t use sharp objects near their sensitive gums or teeth. If it doesn’t budge, visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Dental Abscess

This is a very painful infection that forms at the tooth’s root. It creates pus that, if left untreated, can lead to various health issues such as facial swelling and pain when biting. Visiting the dentist will help determine the cause of the abscess and how to treat it. And if the abscess is so severe, you need to go straight to the emergency room.

Lost or Loose Fillings

If your older kids have fillings, they can become dislodged, loose, or lost altogether. When this happens, you should schedule an emergency visit with your dentist right away. Anytime dental filling moves from its original position, it exposes the unprotected tooth.