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As every parent knows, pediatric dental emergencies are nothing to take lightly. A child in any kind of distress is a disturbing event for everyone. You want to do the right thing. If your emergency happens after hours, call the emergency number of your dental practice for instructions. You will also need to take action during the dental emergency. 

Here are some common types of emergencies and the recommended measures to take:

Bitten Lip or Tongue

Bitten lips and tongues happen on a regular basis, but sometimes, the bite is serious. If the lip or tongue start bleeding, clean the bite with water. Then, push a cold, wet washcloth or towel on the bite, pressing firmly to stop the bleeding and avoid swelling.

Object Caught In Teeth

Children are curious beings, and sometimes, that curiosity causes them to stick something between their teeth. Other times, hard pieces of food wedged between the teeth. If your child has something stuck between his or her teeth, gently remove the object with dental floss.

Chipped, Broken, or Fractured Tooth

If your child breaks, chips, or fractures a tooth, you need to rinse his or her mouth out with warm water, and then reduce the swelling with a cold compress. If possible, find and save the fragment. Then, contact your dentist.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Fast action is critical if your child knocks out a tooth. Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown. That is the only part of the tooth that you should touch. Rinse the tooth with warm water and put it in a clean container with milk. Contact your dentist or head straight to the hospital. If you take quick action, a dentist might be able to save the tooth.

Loose Tooth

Loose teeth can be a hazard for young children. They can swallow or inhale the loose tooth, which is very dangerous. If your child has a tooth that is very loose, remove it. If you cannot remove it, contact your dentist.

Toothache

Toothaches are never fun, but they can be especially upsetting for children. If your child has a toothache:

• First, rinse his or her mouth out using warm water.
• Then, look inside of his or her mouth to make sure that there isn’t something caught between the teeth. If there is, use floss to gently remove it.
• Next, you want to reduce the pain. Apply a cold compress to the area and give your child an oral pain reliever. Do not put a topical pain reliever on the area.
• Finally, contact your dentist and schedule an appointment to examine your child and find the source of a toothache. Your child will be pain-free in no time.

Mint Dental professionals deliver state-of-the-art dental care, using leading edge technology. With the support of an entire team, the doctors focus on treatments that meet individual needs and preventive care, with a goal of your healthy smile in mind. Contact us, today!