8 Common Children Dental Emergencies

Kids have accidents, and some can be more accident-prone than others. Maybe they were playing sports and got hit in the face with a ball. They could have been rough-housing with other kids, fell down, and banged their mouth on the floor.  

When a child has an accident, like skinning their knees, most parents know how to respond by cleaning the wound and putting a bandaid on the scrape while comforting the child. But, what do you do when your child gets into a sports injury and loses a tooth? 

What happens if they trip and chip or crack a tooth? How should you respond? Knowing how to respond to dental emergencies and when to see a pediatric dentist is vital to your child’s oral health.   

What to do if your child has a tooth pain

Tooth pain can occur for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Tooth decay (cavities)
• Infections
• Gum disease
• Hot or cold tooth sensitivity
• Accidents and injuries

So, the first thing you need to do is determine the cause of their tooth pain.

For example, if they do not brush their teeth twice a day and consume a lot of sugary snacks and drinks, chances are their toothache is because they have cavities and quite possibly an infection. 

When to see the pediatric dentist

It is essential to take your child to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible to treat a sore tooth or other pediatric dental emergencies. Pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas includes children’s dental emergency services, so you can reach a dentist day or night. 

The sooner you can respond to a dental emergency, the better. Waiting or hoping the problem clears up on its own increases the risk of permanent dental damage. Furthermore, correcting the damage later could require more extensive oral surgery for your child. 

When you need to see a pediatric dentist right away in Las Vegas, same-day and walk-in appointments are available at Absolute Dental..

Common children dental emergencies

Aside from toothaches, other common pediatric dental emergencies your children could experience include: 

1. Knocked-Out Tooth

Do not discard the tooth. Try to find it, but do not rinse it off. Instead, put it in a zip-locking bag with some milk and bring it with you to the dentist. If the tooth can be put back into the socket within an hour, it is possible for it to be saved. 

2. Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Tooth

Try to keep any pieces you can find and bring those with you to the dental clinic. If there is any bleeding, have your child bite down on a large piece of gauze. You can also apply a cold pack to the affected area to help with any pain or swelling until your child can see the dentist. 

3. Food or Foreign Objects Stuck Between Teeth

Attempt to remove the food or object using a piece of dental floss. If you cannot remove it, take your child to see their pediatric dentist as soon as possible. 

4. Loose Tooth

When baby teeth are loose, it usually means the permanent teeth are ready to come in. However, if a permanent tooth is partially loose, do not remove it. Instead, apply a cold compress to help with swelling and pain until your child can see their pediatric dentist. 

5. Bleeding Tongue, Gums, Cheek, or Lip

Clean the wound with cool water, then place a large piece of gauze over the wound and apply light pressure to help stop the bleeding. If the wound is deep or the bleeding does not stop, bring your child in for emergency dental care.  

6. Lost Filling

If a filling falls out, it is essential to have it refilled as soon as possible to avoid the tooth getting infected. 

7. Damaged Braces

If your child’s braces are damaged in some manner, like the wire is broken or there are loose bands and brackets, they need to be repaired right away. The last thing you want is for your child to accidentally swallow a band or bracket and choke on it. Broken wires can tear into the cheek, tongue, or gums and cause them to bleed. 

8. Broken Jaw Bone

If your child breaks their jaw, apply a cold compress to the location where it broke to control swelling. Bring your child in to see an emergency pediatric dentist to examine the jaw as soon as possible.

How can I reduce the risks of children’s dental emergencies? 

Several effective ways you can help reduce the risk of your child experiencing a dental emergency include:

• See a pediatric dentist twice a year for regular checkups and teeth cleanings.
• Get a custom mouthguard from your child’s dentist they can wear when playing sports or other high-impact activities. 
• Childproof end tables and other furniture with sharp corners with foam padding. 
• Use baby gates to prevent your infant or toddler from falling down the stairs. 
• Limit the number of sugary treats and drinks your child has. 
• Always ensure your child is secure in their car seat, booster seat, or has their seatbelt on in the car. 

Children’s emergency dentist near me

It is easy to find a children’s emergency dentist near me in Las Vegas at Absolute Dental. All our locations provide access to a full range of pediatric dental care and emergency pediatric dentistry services.

When your child has a dental emergency, call our pediatric dental emergency hotline to speak with a pediatric dentist immediately..

 

Sources:

Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Teach Children Importance of Dental Health for Best Protection Against Cavities. 

We Have Kids. How to Tell If a Child’s Jaw is Broken or Dislocated.