Common Dental Emergencies in Children

Whether it is a skinned knee, broken bone, or a knocked-out tooth, most parents understand the feeling of seeing their child in tears due to injury. Most of the time, the injuries are minor and are treatable at home with a little TLC.

But some injuries, especially dental injuries, need the emergency expertise of a pediatric dentist. Here is a list of some of the most common dental emergencies in children.

A Tooth Fracture Emergency

Tooth fractures occur when the visible part of the tooth (crown) breaks off. It can be a severe or minor tooth fracture. Either way, your child will be in pain. Your little one might also experience strange sensations such as laxity or numbness in the mouth.

If this occurs, you should take your child to an emergency pediatric dentist. Before going to the doctor, rinse their mouth with warm water. Then, place a cold press on the part of the face where the fracture happened. If the pain is excruciating, you can give them an appropriate children's painkiller.

A Knocked-out Tooth Emergency

This occurs when your little one’s tooth completely gets out from the socket. It is a common occurrence, especially when engaging in sports or after a fall. In this instance, experts recommend keeping the tooth wet. If possible, you can try reinserting it back to the socket without damaging your child’s pulp.

You can also ask them to hold it between their cheek and gum before you get to the dentist. If they risk swallowing the tooth, place it in a glass of milk or any tooth-preservation product approved by the ADA.

A Tooth Intrusion Emergency

Tooth intrusion occurs when your child’s tooth gets jammed into the jawbone. This also happens due to trauma such as a soccer ball hitting their face or a fall. In more severe cases of tooth intrusion, the tooth’s root may be badly impacted, prompting the need for root canal surgery.

En route to your dentist, use warm water to wash off any dirt or blood from your child’s mouth. If they can bear it, apply pressure if the bleeding is persistent. You can give them a children’s painkiller if it hurts a lot.

A Toothache

Toothaches are common and sometimes can happen for unknown reasons. Your child might get a toothache for many reasons. It could simply be due to food particles stuck between their teeth. It could also be due to erupting teeth, tooth decay, or tooth trauma. Initially, help your child to floss and see if the pain recedes.

If it persists, you should take them to the dentist for a checkup. Often, toothaches recede naturally. But should you notice signs of discoloration or severe swelling, it could be a dental emergency.

The Takeaway

Dental emergencies in children are commonplace. However, knowing how to deal with a dental emergency is essential. It could mean the difference between saving your child’s tooth and losing it permanently.

For more on dental emergencies in children, visit Fort Worth Children's Dentistry at our office in Fort Worth, Texas. You can also call 817-330-6784 to book an appointment today.