Handling Childhood Dental Emergencies
Dental injuries can be alarming for both children and parents, but they are more common than you may think. In fact, approximately one-third of children will experience some form of dental trauma, and many more will face dental emergencies.
The highest risk periods for dental injuries typically occur during toddlerhood (18-40 months) when kids are exploring their environment, and later during pre-adolescence or adolescence due to sporting activities. Below, we’ll discuss some common childhood dental emergencies and provide helpful advice on how to handle them.
Toothache
Toothaches are common in children and usually have an underlying cause. Food particles trapped between teeth can cause discomfort in younger children, which can be resolved with gentle brushing, flossing, or using a clean finger. If the pain persists, it’s important to contact your pediatric dentist for advice. Common causes of toothaches include tooth fractures, decay, trauma, and the eruption of wisdom teeth during adolescence.
What you can do:
- Rinse the area with warm water.
- Check for trapped food and remove it.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Call Sky Pediatric Dentistry for guidance.
What to Expect During the Sealant Process
Sealant application is quick, painless, and non-invasive. Here's how it works:
- The teeth are thoroughly cleaned and dried.
- A special solution is applied to prepare the tooth surface for bonding.
- The sealant material is painted onto the grooves of the teeth.
- A curing light may be used to harden the sealant (depending on the type used).
What you can do:
- Handle the tooth by the crown, not the roots.
- Rinse the tooth with water (don’t scrub it).
- For older children, place the tooth back into the socket gently, or encourage the child to hold it in their cheek pouch. For younger children, place the tooth in milk or saliva, not water.
- Do not let the tooth dry out.
- Contact Sky Pediatric Dentistry or go to the Emergency Room immediately.
Tooth Luxation/extrusion/lateral Displacement (Tooth Displacement)
Displaced teeth are categorized into luxation, extrusion, or lateral displacement, depending on how the tooth has moved. Primary teeth may heal on their own, but permanent teeth require prompt dental treatment.
What you can do:
- Apply a cold, moist compress to the affected area.
- Offer pain relief.
- Contact Sky Pediatric Dentistry immediately.
Crown fracture
What you can do:
- Rinse the mouth with warm water.
- Apply a cold, moist compress.
- Offer strong pain relief like Children’s Tylenol.
- Contact Sky Pediatric Dentistry or visit the Emergency Room, depending on the severity.
Dental Concussion
A concussion occurs when a tooth is knocked but remains in place. This can result in temporary or permanent discoloration of the tooth. Immediate treatment is usually not required unless the tooth turns black, indicating it may need a root canal.
What you can do:
- Monitor the tooth for changes in color.
- Offer pain relief if needed.
- Visit Sky Pediatric Dentistry if the discoloration worsens.
Injured Cheek, Lip, or Tongue
If your child’s cheek, lip, or tongue is bleeding due to a bite or injury, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Ice can help reduce swelling, but if bleeding is uncontrollable, seek medical help.
Fractured Jaw
A suspected jaw fracture requires immediate attention at the Emergency Room. In the meantime, help prevent movement by supporting the jaw.
Head Injury/head Trauma
Any head trauma should be treated as an emergency. Even if the child hasn’t lost consciousness, it’s important to have a pediatric doctor evaluate the child for a possible concussion or internal bleeding.
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