Dental emergencies in children

Knocked-Out Tooth: If your child’s tooth gets knocked out, keep calm, and act quickly. Locate the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse it with milk or saline. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and have your child bite down on a gauge or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, put it in milk, saline or kids saliva and bring your child to the dentist as soon as possible.

Broken or Chipped Tooth: If your child chips or breaks a tooth, rinse their mouth with warm water, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces if possible and bring them to the dentist.

Toothache: Toothaches are a typical dental emergency in children. Rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water, and give them over-the-counter pain relief medication. If the pain persists, visit your dentist.

Object Stuck in Teeth: If your child has an object stuck in their teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. If the object cannot be removed, visit your dentist.

Loose Tooth: If your child has a loose tooth, don’t encourage them to wiggle it gently. If the tooth is very loose, have your child avoid hard or sticky foods, and visit your dentist.

Pain: Pain is the most obvious symptom of a dental emergency. If your child is complaining of a toothache or experiencing pain in the mouth or jaw, it’s important to take action and seek professional help.

Swelling: Swelling in the mouth, gums, or cheeks can indicate an infection, abscess, or other dental emergency. If you notice any swelling, take your child to a dentist as soon as possible.

Bleeding: If your child experiences bleeding in the mouth, it may be a sign of dental trauma. This could include a knocked-out tooth or a cut on the gums or lips. Seek professional help immediately.

Broken or chipped teeth: If your child has a broken or chipped tooth, it can cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty eating. It’s essential to see a dentist promptly to prevent further damage.

Sensitivity: If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or sweet foods, it could be a sign of tooth decay or other dental issues.

Discoloration: Discoloration of a tooth, especially if it turns dark, could be a sign of trauma to the tooth. This requires prompt dental attention to prevent further damage.

Accidents and injuries: Children are naturally active, and accidents and injuries can happen during sports, playtime, or just being clumsy. Dental trauma from falls blows to the face, or other accidents can cause a variety of dental emergencies, such as knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, or jaw injuries.

Tooth decay: Tooth decay is a common dental problem in children and can cause dental emergencies if left untreated. Advanced decay can lead to infections, abscesses, and severe pain.

Gum disease: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums that can cause damage to the supporting structures of the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and other serious dental problems.

Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. Neglecting to brush and floss regularly can lead to plaque buildup, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Biting on hard objects: Children love to bite on hard objects, such as pencils, ice, or toys. This can cause teeth to chip or break, leading to a dental emergency.

Genetic factors: Some dental problems, such as crooked teeth or misaligned bites, can be caused by genetic factors. These issues can lead to dental emergencies if not corrected by an orthodontist.

Assess yourself

Contact a dentist: The first step in any dental emergency is to contact a dentist. If your child experiences a dental emergency, call your dentist as soon as possible. If it’s outside of regular office hours, most dentists have an emergency phone number or can refer you to an emergency dental service.

Stay calm: It’s essential to stay calm during a dental emergency. This can help your child stay calm as well, which can make the situation less stressful for everyone involved.

Control bleeding: If your child has bleeding in the mouth, use a clean cloth or gauze to apply pressure to the area. This can help control bleeding until you can get to the dentist.

Preserve a knocked-out tooth: If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, it’s important to preserve the tooth and get to a dentist as soon as possible. Rinse the tooth in milk or saline solution (not water) and try to place it back into the socket if possible. If you can’t re-implant the tooth, keep it moist in milk or saline solution until you can get to the dentist.

Avoid touching the affected area: Avoid touching the affected area or giving your child anything to eat or drink until you can get to the dentist. This can help prevent further damage or discomfort.

Infection: Dental emergencies such as tooth decay, abscess, or gum disease can lead to bacterial infection. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.

Tooth loss: Dental emergencies such as knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, or severe tooth decay can lead to tooth loss. This can affect the child’s ability to speak, eat, and smile.

Misaligned teeth: Dental emergencies such as broken or chipped teeth can cause misalignment of the teeth. This can lead to problems with the child’s bite and alignment of the jaw.

Bone loss: Severe dental emergencies such as jaw injuries can lead to bone loss. This can affect the child’s ability to chew and speak properly.

Psychological effects: Dental emergencies can cause fear, anxiety, and stress in children. This can affect their overall well-being and can make them hesitant to seek dental care in the future.

Examination and diagnosis: The first step in treating a dental emergency is to examine the child and diagnose the problem. The dentist may ask about the child’s symptoms and medical history and may take X-rays or other diagnostic tests to help determine the best course of treatment.

Pain management: If the child is in pain, the dentist may provide pain medication to help manage the pain. Depending on the severity of the pain, the dentist may use local anesthesia or sedation to make the child more comfortable during the treatment.

Stabilization of the injury: The dentist may stabilize the injury to prevent further damage or discomfort. For example, if a tooth is knocked out, the dentist may re-implant the tooth or provide a temporary dental appliance to protect the area.

Treatment: The dentist will then perform the appropriate treatment for the specific dental emergency. This may include repairing a broken tooth, treating an abscess, performing a root canal, or extracting a tooth if necessary.

Follow-up care: After the initial treatment, the dentist will provide instructions for follow-up care at home. This may include taking antibiotics or pain medication, using mouthwash or antiseptic gel, or avoiding certain foods or activities to promote healing.

Take medication as prescribed: If the dentist prescribes medication, the child should take it as directed. This can help manage pain and prevent infection.

Rest and avoid physical activity: The child should rest for instructed amount of time after the treatment and avoid any physical activity that may interfere with the healing process. This can help prevent further injury or discomfort.

Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods: The child should avoid eating hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that may damage the treated area. Soft foods such as soup, mashed potatoes, and smoothies are generally recommended for the first few days after treatment.

Use ice packs: The child may be advised to use ice packs to reduce swelling and discomfort. The ice pack should be wrapped in a towel or cloth and applied to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Maintain good oral hygiene: The child should continue to brush and floss regularly, but avoid brushing or flossing the treated area for a certain amount of time as advised by the dentist. The dentist may also recommend using a mouthwash or antiseptic gel to help prevent infection.

Attend follow-up appointments: The child should attend any follow-up appointments as advised by the dentist. These appointments are important to ensure that the child is healing properly and to make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Pain and discomfort: Dental emergencies can cause severe pain and discomfort in children. If left untreated, the pain and discomfort can worsen and become more difficult to manage.

Infection: Dental emergencies can increase the risk of infection, which can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. This can cause a range of serious health complications and even become life-threatening in some cases.

Damage to teeth and surrounding tissues: Dental emergencies can cause damage to teeth and the surrounding tissues, including gums, nerves, and blood vessels. If left untreated, the damage can become more extensive and permanent, which can lead to more invasive and costly treatments in the future.

Misaligned teeth and jaws: Some dental emergencies can affect the development and alignment of teeth and jaws. If left untreated, the misalignment can become more severe, which can require more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future.

Aesthetic concerns: Dental emergencies can also cause aesthetic concerns, such as chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. If left untreated, the aesthetic concerns can worsen, which can affect the child’s self-esteem and confidence.

All of us here at Kigo Dental are committed to providing you with the best dental care available, and we do so with a smile.

Our entire staff, from receptionists to dental hygienists and assistants, is committed to providing you with the best quality dental care possible.

From the time you walk through the door and every time you revisit, you will experience this firsthand.

Kigo Dental has a team of experienced and skilled Orthodontists and other specialised dentists who specialize in providing high-quality dental care and treatments, utilizing the latest technologies and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for their patients.