In the face of a dental emergency quick, decisive action is of paramount importance, both in the interest of alleviating (often) severe pain in the immediate term and minimising the threat to a person’s long-term dental and overall health. When the person in question is your child, that urgency becomes even greater.
Today we’re discussing some common dental emergencies that children encounter and how you can respond to ensure that their long-term well-being is never at risk.
What Are the Most Common Dental Emergencies Among Children?
The most common dental emergencies among children include:
- Severe toothaches caused by cavities or infections
- Chipped, or fractured teeth, typically from falls or accidents
- Knocked-out teeth resulting from sports or accidents
- Gum injuries resulting from infection, accidents, or biting down on hard objects
- Orthodontic emergencies like loose braces or wires
In any of these cases, it’s vital to seek immediate dental care in order to alleviate pain or prevent any further complications.
What To Do in Response to Your Child’s Dental Emergency
When a dental emergency happens to a child, it causes not only physical pain but often distress and fear. For this reason, it’s extremely important that adults present at the time of an emergency know precisely what to do and do it quickly and calmly.
In the event of any dental emergency, contacting a dentist immediately is crucial. Beyond this, it’s extremely important to control any bleeding that may be taking place and confirm that no other teeth are affected (or if they are, note which ones). In the case of a knocked-out permanent tooth, immediate action is the key to potentially saving the tooth for re-implantation.
Should a child’s permanent tooth falls or is knocked out, you should:
- Pick up the tooth without touching the root.
- Rinse it without scrubbing.
- Attempt to re-place it in its socket in the gum or place it in a container of milk.
- Get to a dentist immediately!
As always, any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Emergency Dental Treatments in Mount Waverley, Victoria
If you’re in the Mount Waverley area and looking for a dentist with expertise in dealing with dental emergencies among children, dentist Dr Austin Rhee, Dr William Huynh and the team at Mount Waverley Smiles are available for a consultation.
