We know that life can’t be mapped all the way out, especially when children are involved! It’s impossible to be prepared for every single thing that could ever possibly happen, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re prepared for some of the more common dental emergencies.
Below are a few of the most common childhood dental emergencies and how parents can take practical steps to prepare for them:
We know how common it is for kids to roughhouse. Their teeth can sometimes bear the brunt of wrestling matches gone awry, meaning a tooth may break or fracture. If this occurs, gather whatever tooth fragments you can find and put them in a container of milk, your child’s saliva, or cool water. Once this is done, make sure to contact our office immediately, as we may be able to repair the tooth.
If your child has had a permanent tooth knocked out, locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown, never by the roots. As above, be sure to place to submerge the entire tooth in a cup of milk or your child’s saliva. If your child is old enough and there isn’t much pain, try to reinsert the tooth into its socket. Contact our office immediately, as time is a critical factor in saving the tooth
The best way to prepare for a fractured, broken, or knocked out tooth is to make sure that your children wear mouth guards during sports or other physical activities.
If your child has been complaining of a persistent toothache, there are a few things to try. First, have him or her rinse with warm water and floss thoroughly. Sometimes tooth pain can be the result of food lodged between the teeth. If this is not the case, administer over-the-counter pain reliever as recommended by a pharmacist and contact our office to make an appointment.
To avoid a toothache, the best thing you can do is make sure your child is practicing good oral hygiene at home. This means brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and making sure to visit our office every 6 months for a dental cleaning and an exam.
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry here in Greensboro, North Carolina.