Parents know all too well that their children are prone to illnesses and injuries as they grow. While a loose tooth or pain isn’t always a cause for concern, parents need to know exactly when to call an emergency dentist.
Our dental experts from Naperville Commons Dental have created the following list of the most common dental emergencies faced by children.
- Toothaches:
- While this can be nothing to worry about, parents should be concerned when this pain does not subside or gets worse. Doing a brief exam for a cavity, gum infection, gum disease, or a cracked tooth can indicate whether a toothache is quite serious. The pain can be severe and can make it difficult for the child to eat or sleep. When in doubt, schedule an appointment with your dentist to examine the source of the pain.
- Knocked-out tooth:
- An accidentally removed or knocked-out tooth can occur due to sports injuries or accidents. It’s important to act quickly in such cases, as the chances of saving the tooth increase if it is re-implanted within an hour of being knocked out.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root, and place it in milk as you transport your child to an emergency dentist. If you cannot seek emergency dental care, then it’s best to find an emergency room that can try to help put the tooth back and preserve your child’s oral health.
- Broken or chipped teeth:
- Kids may break or chip a tooth due to falls, accidents, or biting down on hard foods. This can cause pain and discomfort and can also affect the child’s self-esteem. Apply a cold compress against their cheek with a cloth towel to offer some relief while you call their dentist. In some cases, this might, unfortunately, lead to a root canal to remove part of the broken tooth.
- Loose tooth:
- As kids grow and their permanent teeth start to come in, their baby teeth may become loose and fall out. However, if an adult tooth is loose due to trauma or injury, it may need to be evaluated by a dentist.
- Abscessed tooth:
- An abscessed tooth is a bacterial infection that can cause pain, swelling, and fever. This is a serious dental emergency that requires immediate attention from a dentist, as the infection can spread to other parts of the body. In extreme cases, the dentist might need to pull the tooth to protect the surrounding teeth, cheek, and gums. A dental restoration would then be offered to preserve the appearance and functionality of the original tooth.
If your child is experiencing any of the following dental emergencies, please contact our office immediately. We will get your child scheduled as soon as possible to ensure their teeth and dental health are well-protected.
