Tips For Handling Dental Emergencies

The weekend is finally here, and your kiddos are ready for two days of fun and play. Running, jumping, or simply being absorbed in the latest video or text while walking to get a snack are all common ways for kids to unwind today. Although these activities are all relatively safe, and you always try to keep a watchful eye on all their surroundings, accidents might happen. Keeping calm and reassuring your child are first on your mind, but it is also good to have a plan of action ready so when one does occur, you will know what to do. This can make a difference between saving and losing a tooth.
We at World Pediatric Dental agree with and would like to share some tips recommended by the ADA for properly handling common dental emergencies.
When you have a dental emergency, it’s important to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.
• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away.
• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down.
• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.
• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.
• For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.
Here are some simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
• Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.
For more useful information visit: www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dental-emergencies

 

Dr. Dutta reserves time in his daily schedule for emergency patients. Call us and provide as much detail as possible about your condition and we will guide you through the process of what is best for your child.