How Can You Handle Dental Emergencies in Children?
Children are prone to dental emergencies because of their love of the outdoors and play. Some of these emergencies are mild and can be handled at home with remedies. However, more often than not, you may require to get emergency dentistry in Redding, CA.
Getting immediate treatment is often the first course of action. But, how you handle the emergencies when they occur will determine the success of the treatment. In this post, we highlight some of the ways you can handle the common dental accidents that affect children.
1 .Visit the Dentist Immediately
Visiting an emergency pediatric dentist near you immediately after an accident occurs is crucial to your child’s dental health. The dentist can begin the treatment early and prevent oral complications.
2. Knocked Out Teeth
Knocked-out teeth, whether primary or permanent teeth are a dental menace. Although the primary teeth are not a dental emergency per se, you still need to visit an emergency pediatric dentist in Redding, CA, for assessment. Remember, the primary teeth hold the space and guide the permanent teeth when they emerge. If they are lost prematurely, they may damage the jaw growth and how the teeth come out. The dentist will take the precautions needed to prevent further complications to the jaw. The primary teeth are, however, not reattached after they come out.
If the child loses permanent teeth, it is important to protect the teeth keeping them moist. The loss of the adult teeth is permanent, but the dentist can save the teeth from extraction if treatment is started early. In the meantime, protect the teeth from further damage by placing them back to the socket (if they are partially avulsed) using the crown. Do not try to pull the teeth as only a pediatric dentist can determine if the teeth need pulling or not.
In this case, they are completely dislodged from the socket, locate the teeth, and store in a milk solution to preserve them. Do not wrap it in anything, whether cloth or tissue, as it may cause the teeth to die.
3. Bitten Tongue and Lips
When the child forcefully bites the lower lip, cheeks, or tongue, they can bruise the soft tissue causing mouth bleeding. The bleeding can be mild or severe depending on the severity of the bruise. You can stop the bleeding using a gauze pad, but first, it is important to clean the mouth to remove any debris.
Apply cold compresses on the cheeks and lower lips to reduce swelling. Place the pad on the affected area or a clean cloth and apply pressure. If bleeding does not clear within minutes and it is severe, visit an emergency pediatric dentist in 96001 immediately for assistance.
4. Severe Toothache
Tooth pain can range from minor to severe depending on the cause. The most common cause of toothache is food stuck in between the teeth. The pain is mild and will clear after you remove the food with dental floss. Do not use a sharp object as it may cause nerve damage or bruise. If the object can’t be removed, visit the dentist for assistance.
A tooth fracture and decay are also causes of tooth pain and they both need urgent dental treatment. Avoid using pain medication to ease discomfort without the dentist’s approval. The medication may get rid of the pain, but not the root cause and that is why you need to visit the dentist if unsure of the cause.
5. Dental Abscess
Teeth abscess is often a cause of untreated decay and gum infection. They are easy to notice because they appear like pimples on the gums. Your child may also have a fever, swelling, pain when chewing, and tooth sensitivity. Abscess does not clear on its own, and you will need to visit a dentist immediately. A cold compress can help to ease the swelling, while warm salt water can ease the pain.
Take Action
Visit Shasta Kids Dentistry when an accident occurs for immediate assessment and treatment to prevent complications.