Common Dental Emergencies Among Children

A pediatric dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate care from a dentist to restore dental health and prevent further complications.

Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

• Bitten Lip or Tongue

When a child is bitten or chews their lip or tongue, they may need to see a dentist evaluate for injury. If the child is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. If bleeding continues, they may need to visit the local emergency room.

• Object Caught In Teeth

Objects that are small enough to fit between teeth get stuck there. This is common for kids, who often have toys or food stuck in their mouths. A big concern with this type of object is that it gets pushed farther into the mouth, possibly injuring teeth and gum tissue. The object also may damage the gum tissue or scratch the teeth.

The first thing you should do is try to gently remove the object with dental floss. If this doesn't work, try gently rinsing the mouth with salt water or a special solution meant to help with removing objects from the mouth. Do not try to pull the object out with pliers or other tools, as this can damage teeth or gum tissue.

If an object is stuck in the mouth, you should call the office right away. A dentist will examine your child's mouth and remove any objects that are stuck there.

• Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth

If your child's tooth is fractured, chipped, or cracked, try to locate the broken piece. Rinse your child's mouth with water and apply a cold compress to your child's face if it is swollen. Have your child hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheeks, or lips. A cold compress can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Call your dentist right away to schedule an appointment. For a broken tooth, your dentist may be able to repair the tooth with bonding or composite resin. If the tooth is severely fractured, the dentist may cover the tooth with a dental crown. For a tooth that is chipped or cracked, the dentist will apply a dental filling or crown.

• Knocked Out Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out, find it and keep it moist. Bring the tooth to the dentist immediately. If a tooth is knocked out, it can be successfully replanted within 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the chance of re-implantation decreases significantly.

• Loose Tooth

Depending on where the tooth is loose, it may or may not require emergency dental care. If it is a permanent tooth, your dentist may be able to put it back in place. If the loosened tooth is a primary one, know that the tooth will eventually fall out anyway. If the baby's tooth is loose because of dental decay, the dentist may remove the decay and get the tooth restored.

• Toothache

Toothaches can happen for a variety of reasons, from a tooth being knocked out to decay. While some of them, such as toothaches caused by damage, are emergencies, not all require immediate treatment.

• Broken Jaw

If you think your child's jaw is broken, please seek immediate medical attention. If the jaw is fractured, your child's dentist may treat the fracture, but your child will need to be examined by an emergency physician. A broken jaw can be extremely painful and should be treated as soon as possible.

How To Prevent Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

It's important to remember that preventing dental emergencies is much more effective than treating them. Therefore, you should encourage your children to practice proper oral hygiene in order to reduce the likelihood of a dental emergency.

Brushing after meals and at bedtime, flossing daily, and regular dental checkups can help keep the teeth and gums healthy. Mouth guards and mouth splints can help prevent sports injuries and tooth grinding.

Schedule an appointment with Reading Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about our dental treatments. Visit us at 3895 W 7800 S #203, West Jordan, UT 84088. Contact us at (801) 282-6901 or visit our website to book an appointment with us.