Dental Emergencies
Q: My child knocked out his/her baby tooth. What should I do?
A: Contact our office to schedule an emergency appointment to rule out any other damage to the surrounding tissues. Do not re-implant the tooth.
Q: My child knocked out his/her permanent tooth. What should I do?
A: Locate the tooth and rinse with cool water (Do not use any cleaning solutions or soap). Ideally, the tooth needs to be re-implanted back in to the socket as soon as possible. If you are unable to re-insert the tooth, place it in a clean container with milk, saliva or water. At this point, you should contact us for an immediate appointment. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Q: My child chipped or fractured his/her tooth. What should I do?
A: Contact our office immediately. Timely treatment can reduce the risk of infection, need for root canal treatment and more extensive dental treatment. Make sure to maintain the are clean with water and keep the area cool to reduce the potential for swelling . If possible, find the fractured fragment and bring it with you to your appointment.
Q: My child received a severe blow to the head or fractured his/her jaw. What should I do?
A: Due to risk of life threatening complications following head trama, immediately take your child to the emergency department at your local hospital.
Q: My child is experiencing a toothache. What should I do?
A: Contact our office and we will properly appoint your child. In the short term, to comfort your child, apply a cold compress to sooth the area and dispense pain medication (i.e., tylenol or ibuprofen) as needed.
Q: How can I prevent dental injuries?
A: If you child participates in contact sports make sure they are wearing a mouth guard. When in the car, make sure your child is properly buckled or seated in his/her car seat. Ensure that your home is child-proof to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects. Finally, avoid invasive dental requirements with regular dental visits and preventive care. |
