What is Pediatric Dental Emergencies? [Dental care for kids]

A children's dental emergency can come out of nowhere when you least expect it. Being prepared for pediatric dental emergencies can reduce the risk of permanent damage occurring to your child’s teeth. This article will give complete information about dental emergencies, actions to take, and prevention tips to avoid dental emergencies for kids.

• In a research study, the most frequent concern from the analysis of 253 children who visited an emergency clinic was pain caused by dental decay.
• In the same study, 79% visited the emergency clinic due to cavities. The required treatment for 31% of the patients was endodontic treatment (i.e. root canal procedure).

Understanding Dental Emergency for Kids

Knowledge is power. We will explain why it is important to understand emergency dental for kids.

A dental emergency requires immediate action and involves addressing issues like severe pain, bleeding, or oral trauma. Non-urgent issues consist more of routine treatments such as dental cleanings, X-rays, or broken dental appliances and can be scheduled during regular office hours. Knowing to alert a health professional in an emergency is key to ensuring that you are healthy and not harmed.

Exploring Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

In this section, we will explore common pediatric dental emergencies. This way, you can be more prepared in the case of any urgent situation.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Having a tooth knocked out can be frightening for both you and your child. Do your best to remain calm and contact your pediatric dental specialist immediately. Although your dental professional will not likely reimplant a baby tooth into the mouth, they will always try to restore an adult permanent tooth if possible. The earlier treatment is done, the higher the chance the tooth can be saved and reimplanted into the mouth.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

In some cases, a bitten lip or tongue could be considered a dental emergency if the trauma is severe. If your child is experiencing excessive bleeding or the damage appears extensive, be sure to contact your pediatric dentist for emergency care. In the meantime, clean the area and use a cold compress to help try to reduce the bleeding and/or swelling.

Broken Jaw

A broken jaw requires immediate medical attention. If you suspect that your child’s jaw may be fractured, contact an emergency number urgently. Trauma such as severe blows to the head can be life-threatening.

Swelling or Abscess

Another emergency that requires immediate medical attention is a dental abscess or facial swelling. This often occurs as a result of infection and can cause severe pain. These signs can be life-threatening if not managed, as the infection can spread and impact vital areas of the body such as the airway.

Bleeding Gums

Normally, your gums should not bleed. Bleeding gums are typically a sign of gum disease, which can lead to serious oral and overall health problems like tooth loss, diabetes, and heart disease. If your child is experiencing excessive or random gum bleeding, contact your dental professional immediately.

Toothache

Toothaches can be a cause for a trip to an emergency medical professional. Common causes of a child toothache emergency include oral trauma, tooth decay, gum disease, and erupting permanent teeth. Toothaches should be managed as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

Object Caught in Teeth

The feeling of something caught in between teeth can be truly annoying. If your child has something lodged between their teeth that dental floss is unable to remove, contact your dentist. Avoid using tools other than floss to remove the object, as this could damage your teeth and gums.

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth

Your child’s tooth may accidentally become broken, chipped, or fractured. If this is the case, contact the dentist immediately. Broken teeth can allow bacteria to enter the tooth, causing discomfort and inflammation that can spread to other areas. A dentist will clinically evaluate the tooth and take a dental X-ray to determine the appropriate treatment needed.

Steps for Parents to Take After a Dental Emergency for Children

Below, we suggest following these simple steps after a child’s dental emergency. These steps can be applied to any dental emergency.

Stay Calm

First and foremost, do your best to stay calm. Staying calm will help you remain relaxed enough to make quick and informed decisions. A calm demeanor can also help keep your child calmer.

Assess the Situation

Assessing the situation is necessary to determine if the issue is urgent or non-urgent. If the situation appears urgent, immediately seek emergency care. Gather details of what occurred and inform your health professionals of the situation.

Address Bleeding

If bleeding is occurring, do your best to stop it. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to do so. If the bleeding does not stop, or you notice a severe laceration, take your child to an emergency room.

Manage Pain

There are several ways to manage pain during a dental emergency. To reduce pain, you may consider giving your child an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol. In addition, swishing with warm salt water, or applying an icepack to the painful area may help while waiting to see a medical or dental professional.

Prevent Further Injury

The best way to prevent further injury is to contact your dental professional immediately. They will determine the appropriate next course of action to get your child’s smile back healthy.

Contact a Dentist

As mentioned, contacting your dentist during a dental emergency is essential. If they are unable to assist with the specific problem, they may refer you to an emergency room. Contacting your dentist immediately can help minimize damage and prevent further injury.

Process of Pediatric Emergency Dental Visits for Kids

Emergency dental for kids entails a systematic process. Here’s what you can expect during an emergency dental visit for your child.

Initial Assessment

One of the first steps your dentist will take during your child’s visit is to perform a thorough assessment. The initial assessment will help them diagnose the problem and determine the necessary treatment.

Medical History

The dental professional will ask about your child’s medical history. Taking a comprehensive medical history is essential as it can influence treatment decisions. Be sure to inform them of any of your child’s past or current medical conditions or medications.

Physical Examination

A physical examination will be performed to assess your child’s overall health. The dentist will inspect your child’s head, neck, and oral cavity for swelling and other signs of abnormalities.

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests are necessary to aid in your child’s care. This may include taking an X-ray to help with the assessment of the problem. Other clinical diagnostic tests such as tooth nerve vitality test may be performed to determine the health of a tooth.

Pain Management

Pain management will be determined by the dental professional. They may recommend over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs or Tylenol, taking into consideration your child’s medical history.

Emergency Treatment

Emergency dental care for kids can involve the expertise of multiple medical and dental specialists, depending on the severity of the problem. A treatment plan will be tailored to resolving your child’s problem as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Treatment Options

Prior to the initiation of any treatment, your dental professional will explain to you all the treatment options, risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment. You can feel free to ask any questions or express any concerns at any time throughout the process.

Preventive Measures

Take preventive measures. Your dentist will recommend different preventive measures to lower the chance of an emergency occurring again. Preventing accidents from occurring is the best way to keep your child from having to experience a dental emergency.

Follow-Up Plan

Your dental professional will inform you of a follow-up plan based on the treatment plan. This allows your dentist to ensure that the problem is resolved.

Preventive Measures to Safeguard Children from Dental Emergency Injuries

Below are several easy preventive measures to safeguard children from dental emergency injuries. Prevention is always the best safeguard!

Supervision

Supervise your child when they are practicing their oral hygiene. Make sure they are properly brushing and flossing their teeth. Ensuring oral hygiene is being done appropriately can help lower your child’s risk of experiencing preventable oral conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.

Safety Gear

Safety gear is a necessity for protecting your child’s smile when participating in activities in which their smiles are at risk of harm. Speak with your dental professional about the different types of oral safety gear, like mouthguards that can be beneficial for your child.

Childproofing

Childproofing your home can lower the risk of accidents occurring. Methods such as using gates to block stairways or cushions to pad sharp furniture can help keep children from hurting themselves.

Practice Safe Play

Inform your child to practice safe play. Activities such as running with objects or horseplaying, for example, should be avoided. If your child participates in contact sports or activities where their smile is at risk, be sure to have them wear any necessary protective equipment (i.e. mouthguards, face shield, etc.)

Avoid Chewing Hazardous Objects

Chewing on hazardous objects is a sure way to cause a dental emergency. Items like ice or non-food objects can not only damage teeth but also be life-threatening, as they increase the risk of choking.

Healthy Diet

Diet plays a major role in oral health and overall well-being. Feed your children balanced, nutritious meals. Avoid sugary and acidic food and beverage items, as they can promote bacterial accumulation and damage teeth.

Avoid Using Teeth as Tools

Teeth should never be used outside of their normal functions, such as eating. Be sure your child is not using their teeth to cut or open items. Also, make sure they do not bite on non-food items like pencils or fingernails. These harmful habits can damage teeth and increase the likelihood of a dental emergency.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene can literally save your child’s life. Some dental problems can become life-threatening, which is why it is so important to maintain good oral hygiene. Make sure your child is brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing daily.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Regular dental check-ups are necessary for maintaining your child’s oral health and overall health. They should see the dentist at least every 6 months to ensure their smile is healthy.

Exceptional Pediatric Dental Emergency Care Offered by Great Lakes Family Dental

Great Lakes Family Dental provides exceptional dental care for kids. Our team of specialists in pediatric dentistry can help manage the dental needs of your child in both urgent and non-urgent situations.

If your child is in need of an urgent care pediatric dentist, Great Lakes Family Dental is the best place to go. Our dental team is here to help your child in any time of need. We provide a wide array of pediatric dental services, including emergency pediatric dental care. Schedule an appointment with our team of pediatric dentists.

Conclusion

Pediatric dental emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. That is why it is so important to stay educated on how to handle different dental emergencies so that you can be prepared for any situation. A pediatric dentist is specially trained to treat dental conditions that can impact your little one. It is important to seek help immediately if your child experiences a dental emergency.