Tips for Handling a Dental Emergency

 

 

It’s that time - you’re enjoying your family's summer vacation when suddenly a problem strikes! Your child slipped and hurt their tooth - now what do you do? While we hope you don’t have to experience any dental emergencies while away, we did want to provide some tips on how to handle some tricky situations:

What to do if your child has a toothache:

A toothache may not scream emergency but, it does hurt your little one which in turn hurts you! First, try to find the source of the pain - swelling, redness, or any discolorations. Rinse the area with a warm salt-water solution.

What to do if your child cuts their cheek, tongue, or lip:

Ice the injured area to help control any swelling. Apply pressure with a cloth if there is any bleeding. If the bleeding persists, contact us or visit the emergency room.

What to do if your child chips a tooth:

To reduce the chance for infection - contact us immediately. Rinse with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you find any tooth fragments, rinse in cool water and place in a cup with milk, saliva, or water.

What to do if your child knocks out a tooth:

With baby teeth, treatment is not necessary. For a permanent tooth, time is a crucial factor! If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If this is not possible, place the tooth in milk, saliva, or water and take it to the dentist right away.  

What to do if you experience a dental emergency while abroad:

In case of an emergency away from home, contact us or use the Find A Dentist Tool by the American Dental Association (ADA). This tool will help you locate an ADA dentist who can help you wherever you are.

No matter what dental emergency you may experience, remember Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric is here for you and your child. For aid with the above or general questions and concerns please feel free to contact us at any of our 3 locations or visit us online to schedule an appointment!

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

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You may be able to rattle off your evacuation plan in case of emergency, but do you know what to do in case of a dental emergency? Accidents can happen at any time, regardless if your child plays high contact sports or not. 

Be prepared for anything! Learn more about the different emergencies you may face below:

Toothache - While a toothache may not be an emergency, it can still cause your child distress. First find the root of the toothache and look for swelling or any discolorations on the tooth. Help your child floss the area and rinse with a warm salt-water solution. If your child’s face is swollen, apply a cold compress. 

Mouth abrasion (cheek, tongue, lip) - Apply pressure to the area with a gauze to control bleeding and a cold compress if there is swelling. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, contact us or visit the emergency room.

Chipped tooth - Chipped teeth can range from minor to severe fractures. If your child fractures a tooth, have them rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Minor chips don’t always need treatment, though we may polish and smooth out the area. More severe chips can cause pain and expose nerves - contact us immediately for treatment.

Knocked out tooth - If this is a baby tooth, in most cases professional care isn’t necessary. For a permanent tooth, you’ll need to act fast. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown(top). If the tooth is not dirty or fractured, put it back in the socket and have your child bite down on gauze to hold it in place. If this proves difficult or the tooth is dirty, put it in a cup of milk and visit us immediately.

No matter what dental emergency you may experience, remember to stay calm to comfort your child. For aid with the above or general questions and concerns - we’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us at any of our 3 locations or visit us online to schedule an appointment!

What to Do When your Child Has a Toothache

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Today is National Toothache Day and while we hope your kids aren’t experiencing any tooth woes, we do want to make sure you are prepared should you find yourself in such a situation. 

Toothaches can have a variety of causes - from something as simple as having a piece of food trapped between teeth to something more severe like a cavity or a broken tooth. If your child comes to you complaining of tooth pains, we first recommend looking at the area to see if there are any food particles lodged there. If so, proceed to floss around the bothered tooth followed by a warm water rinse (or salt water combination). This can soothe the area and help dislodge any food debris that may be stuck between teeth.

Also, look for a chipped tooth or filling that may be loose or missing. Offer a cold compress to help alleviate any pain or swelling and encourage your child to keep their jaw relaxed so no pressure is placed on the sensitive tooth.

These above remedies are temporary, but will help keep the pain manageable until you are able to give us a call. We will be able to diagnose the more serious problem. If your child’s symptoms include throbbing pain, fever, or fatigue please contact your doctor as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

Active Kids, Healthy Teeth

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

With the Fall sports season gearing up, its always a great idea to know what to do in case of a dental emergency. Here's an AWESOME full-color guide from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to help your family stay prepared:

If you have any questions on how to handle emergency situations, visit our website » 

For any questions, concerns, or emergencies - we’re here for you and your child. Please feel free to contact us at any of our 3 locations. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. 

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