If your child experiences a cracked tooth, taking immediate action is crucial. Start by rinsing their mouth with warm water to ensure the area is clean. To minimize swelling, apply cold compresses to the face. Seeking prompt dental attention is essential in this situation, so make an appointment with your child’s dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to assess the extent of the crack and recommend the appropriate treatment to prevent further damage or discomfort. Remember, addressing a cracked tooth promptly can help maintain your child’s oral health and prevent potential complications down the line. Below we cover what parents should know about dental emergencies.
What Parents Should Know About Dental Emergencies
Understanding how to handle a dental emergency can be really overwhelming for parents. Not only is your child in pain, but they may also need medical attention to ensure their teeth and oral health stay intact. Consider the following tips for parents when dealing with a dental emergency.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If one of your child’s permanent teeth gets knocked out, it’s important to act quickly to increase your chances of saving their natural tooth. To preserve their tooth, grab it immediately and keep it moist at all times. Place it in a container with milk or a tooth preservation (if you happen to have one). Call an emergency dentist near you in Encino right away and head to the dentist for re-implantation. If the tooth isn’t one of your child’s permanent teeth, it’s helpful to try and locate the primary tooth. It does not require moisture, but it can be beneficial for the dentist to have it. It’s important to note that if the injury is an emergency, you may want to call 911. Excessive bleeding or deep cuts may require medical attention.
Cracked Or Chipped Tooth
A chipped or cracked tooth is often less intense as compared to a knocked-out tooth. However, you do need to address the issue promptly. If your child experiences a cracked tooth, start by rinsing their mouth with warm water. This will ensure the area is clean and reduce the risk of infection. There may be swelling, so apply a cold compress to the side of the face where the affected tooth is. Contact a family dentist right away to see what the next steps are. More severe cases may require immediate attention from an emergency dentist. However, less intense chips or cracks may be able to be addressed at a regular dental appointment.
Toothache
If your child experiences a toothache, it’s important to address their pain and discomfort. To reduce the risk of infection, rinse their mouth out with warm water. This will help clean the area and remove any debris. If there is any debris that cannot be removed by rinsing, gently use dental floss to remove it. Use over-the-counter pain medication and a cold compress to address any swelling. Contact the dentist to see if you need to take your child in. This is especially true if the pain gets worse or persists for more than a few days. A toothache can be caused by an underlying issue that needs to be addressed right away.
Family Dentist
Preventing accidents is not possible, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of serious damage. This includes having an emergency dentist you can call in the event of an emergency. This can ensure that you take the right steps to preserve your child’s oral health. The team at Encino Family Dental is skilled in emergency dentistry and has helped countless patients ensure their oral health is in good shape for the long haul. Keep their contact information ready in the event of a dental emergency!
