Dental Emergencies – Latest News from Children's Dental Specialties

How Parents can Prepare for Common Dental Emergencies

Posted on May 10, 2018March 18, 2021

Life can’t be completely mapped out, but parents can take some practical steps to prepare for some common dental emergencies.

Fractured Tooth

Kids play rough, and their teeth sometimes bear the brunt of their actions. If your child fractures a tooth, then gather what fragments and store them in a clean container of cool water, saliva, or milk. It is important that you visit the dentist immediately to prevent infection and other complications that are brought on by chipped teeth. Your dentist will be able to repair your child’s tooth, or fix it with a crown.

How to Prepare:

A large amount of fractured teeth are sustained as the result of a sports injury. If your child plays contact sports, be sure they wear a mouth guard that protects their teeth.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

If possible, find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, and be careful not to touch the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth excessively. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in its socket. Hold the tooth in place by gently biting on a gauze or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place the tooth in a cup containing the saliva of the person that lost it, or use milk, but NOT water. The tooth may also be carried in the mouth beside the cheek. The person who lost their tooth must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

Ongoing Toothache

If your child has a toothache, then have them rinse their mouth with warm water to ease the pain. Persistent toothaches can indicate more serious problems that need to be observed by a dental professional. If the pain persists for more than 48 hours, then see your dentist as soon as you can.

How to Prepare:

Toothaches are often the result of neglecting a proper oral health routine. Be sure that your child drinks plenty of water, and brushes for two minutes at a time, twice per day. They should also floss once daily, and clean the area below the gum line.

Visit Out Dental Office

If your child has lost their teeth from serious accidents like a head injury or broken jaw, then visit the hospital before you see the dentist. It’s absolutely imperative that you care for the more serious injury first. However, if their oral emergency is not immediately threatening their overall well-being, then call our office. We are equipped to deal with a litany of oral emergencies and will be able to help get your child’s smile back in working order.

Important: Essential Tips to Manage a Dental Emergency

Posted on April 28, 2016March 18, 2021

By definition an emergency is generally unexpected, which means you didn’t plan on an accident occurring (of course!) But you can prepare for common dental emergencies in case they do happen. Knowing what to do can sometimes be the difference in saving or losing a tooth. Here are a few essential tips to read over and understand…before you need them.

Establish a dental home.

When a dental emergency occurs, it’s essential to get prompt treatment. Of course, the first (and best) step is to have an established dental home. Whether an injury happens on the playground, in school or at home, having a dental home and maintaining regular dental check-ups and cleanings is the first and best way to be prepared. Not only will you have an existing relationship already established, but you will also have someone to call who can provide guidance, care and support.

Like all emergencies, dental emergencies appear out of nowhere and demand immediate attention. Knowing what to do when an emergency arises is key to having a positive outcome and preventing a bad situation from getting worse. Just as we spend time learning first aid procedures for bodily emergencies, making a special effort to focus on handling dental emergencies means that you are prepared to take care of any situation, no matter what.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), here are a few best practices for the following scenarios:

If a baby tooth is knocked out:

Contact the dentist ASAP.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out:

Find and carefully rinse the tooth in cool water. Do not use soap or scrub the tooth. Simply rinse it in cool water. Replace the tooth in the socket, if possible, and hold it in place with a clean piece of gauze or a washcloth. If putting the tooth back in the socket isn’t an option, place the tooth in a clean cup with milk, saliva, or water. Contact the dentist immediately. Prompt treatment is required to potentially save the tooth.

If a tooth is chipped or damaged

Contact the dentist immediately. Find any tooth fragments. Rinse in cool water and place in a clean cup with milk, saliva, or water and take them with you to the dentist. Prompt treatment is critical for preventing infection and avoiding potential complications. If there is any injury to the mouth, treat with cold compresses to decrease swelling.

If tooth loss is the result of a more severe or complicated injury, call for emergency services to insure that proper care is given to the entire injury. Call the dentist en route to the hospital or immediately upon arrival.

Keep up with check-ups.

An emergency situation is no time to try to come up with a plan of action. Instead, it’s best to be prepared well in advance of any unforeseen injuries. Maintaining regular six month check-ups can help lay the groundwork for handling potential emergency situations when you don’t have time to think about what to do next.

Being Prepared for Dental Emergencies

Posted on September 11, 2014March 18, 2021

Like all emergencies, dental emergencies appear out of nowhere and demand immediate attention. Knowing what to do when an emergency arises is key to having a positive outcome and preventing a bad situation from getting worse. Taking the right action, can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Just as we spend time learning first aid procedures for bodily emergencies, making a special effort to focus on handling dental emergencies means that you are prepared to take care of any situation, no matter what.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), here are a few best practices for the following scenarios:

If a baby tooth is knocked out – Contact the dentist ASAP.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out – Find and carefully rinse the tooth in cool water. Do not use soap or scrub the tooth. Simply rinse it in cool water. Replace the tooth in the socket, if possible, and hold it in place with a clean piece of gauze or a washcloth. If putting the tooth back in the socket isn’t an option, place the tooth in a clean cup with milk, saliva, or water. Contact the dentist immediately. Prompt treatment is required to potentially save the tooth.
If a tooth is chipped or damaged – Contact the dentist immediately. Find any tooth fragments. Rinse in cool water and place in a clean cup with milk, saliva, or water and take them with you to the dentist. Prompt treatment is critical for preventing infection and avoiding potential complications. If there is any injury to the mouth, treat with cold compresses to decrease swelling.