Pediatric Dental Emergencies: 7 Tips for Parents on Immediate Care

Know how to deal with a dental emergency.

Know what to do in the event of a dental injury.

Just as it is vital to ensure your kids’ safety and health in any other emergency, it’s important you know what steps to take if your child faces a dental emergency. The following dental emergency tips for parents will help you decide how to handle any tooth injury. And that knowledge will empower you to handle situations ranging from unexpected toothaches to sudden sports injuries.

Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

You won’t always have to rush to a children’s dentist in Omaha, NE, for immediate dental care for kids, but it’s good to recognize these common pediatric dental emergencies that require professional evaluation:

  • Tooth sensitivity.
  • Broken, chipped, or fractured teeth.
  • Lost or loose fillings.
  • Dislodged teeth. 
  • Severe toothache.
  • Abscessed tooth.
  • Mouth or lip injury.
  • Broken or fractured jaw. 
  • Object stuck in the mouth.

Seeking immediate care is crucial because if one of your child’s baby teeth gets injured and is not taken care of right away, the adult tooth underneath can also experience problems down the line.

A pediatric dentist can provide immediate care and assess the scope of the dental emergency. Then, a pediatric specialist can quickly determine the best treatment for your child’s tooth. 

Immediate Dental Emergency Steps for Children

With a young child, tooth injuries are a common occurrence. Your first step is to check the injury closely, then proceed with the following care methods depending on the kind of injury they are experiencing.

1. Knocked-out Tooth

If your child has a knocked-out tooth, it’s most likely a baby tooth. However, if the child is older, it could be a permanent tooth that requires re-implantation.

Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown, which is the part normally visible in your mouth, and avoid touching the roots. The most important thing to remember is that the tooth needs to stay wet. Do not scrub it, but instead gently rinse it off and try putting it back into the socket. Have your child keep it in place by biting down on gauze. 

If you cannot reinsert it or are uncomfortable doing so, it’s still vital to keep it moist. Place it in a cup of milk and visit your dentist immediately. 

2. Toothache

A toothache can range from mild to major discomfort and can be caused by various things, such as wedged-in food or tooth decay. As soon your child complains about having a toothache, using warm salt water to rinse their mouth will help dislodge any trapped food or debris. If that doesn’t resolve your child’s discomfort, they may have a cavity. Contact your pediatric dentist immediately to schedule an appointment. 

3. Chipped or Broken Tooth

Without immediate attention, a chipped or broken tooth can become painful and cause complications. If your child breaks a tooth, rinse the area with warm water and use cold compresses on their face to reduce any swelling. Collect and save the broken tooth fragments, and consult your pediatric dental team for immediate treatment. 

4. Bitten Lip or Cheek With Bleeding

Nothing hurts quite like biting your lip or cheek. Doing so is typically a minor incident, but it can still cause bleeding. If that occurs with your child, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or piece of gauze. Then, use a cold compress to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to the emergency room.

5. Lost Filling or Crown

If a filling falls out or becomes loose, you can temporarily put some sugar-free gum in the opening (sugar-filled gum will cause pain) or use dental cement. If a crown comes off, try slipping it back over the tooth, then contact your dentist immediately.

6. Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is an infection that forms inside the tooth’s root, creating a pocket of pus. It may appear as a painful, pimple-like swelling on the gums. Such an infection requires immediate care as, if left untreated, it can lead to severe toothache, fever, and facial swelling.  

If you suspect your child has an abscess, it’s important to book your child in to see their dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, have your child rinse with mild salt water to ease the pain and draw the pus to the surface. If it gets to a point that it restricts their breathing or causes facial swelling, go to the emergency room.

7. Objects Stuck Between Teeth

Foreign objects can get lodged between teeth and cause pain, discomfort, and potentially damage the teeth or gums. A prompt response reduces the risk of infections and protects the surrounding tissues. You can use dental floss to remove these objects, but do not use sharp or pointed instruments, which can poke and damage the soft tissues in your child’s mouth.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

While most pediatric dental emergencies are manageable, it is, of course, best to avoid them altogether. Teach your child good oral hygiene habits, like brushing twice and flossing once daily, and schedule routine dental visits. Limit their sugar intake and always take their dental pain seriously. If your child plays sports, a custom mouthguard can protect their teeth from knocks and falls. 

Compassionate Care During Your Child’s Dental Emergency

Every parent should know about common pediatric dental emergencies, as acting fast can prevent additional problems. Turning to a pediatric dentist is crucial for quick help. At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we have the right skills to care for your child’s urgent dental needs. Call us today to have your questions answered.