Dental emergencies are never expected, and when they occur, they can be as minor as biting your cheek, or as severe as having a tooth knocked out. Parents always try their best to keep their kids protected against such incidents, but it is impossible to always prevent accidents from happening. Although no one can predict when these kinds of situations will occur, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the impact of dental emergencies.
In the event of a dental emergency, parents should know how to identify and assess the extent of the injury. They should also have a reliable emergency children’s dentist they can call immediately who will be able to see the child on short notice.
Chicago KiDDS Pediatric Dentistry is here for your family when emergencies arise. Our team of experienced pediatric dentists is ready to help as soon as something unexpected happens, whether that means addressing a sudden toothache, or excessive bleeding after the loss of a baby tooth.
How to Assess A Dental Emergency
Assessing a dental emergency is not always simple, but there are many occasions where a parent can determine the severity of a dental injury. For one, determining whether said injury is able to be treated at home, or a trip to the dentist or emergency room is required, is an important distinction to make.
If your child is in severe pain or has lost a tooth, or could be at risk of losing a tooth, contact Chicago KiDDS, your emergency pediatric dentist near Tinley Park. Even if you are only seeking medical advice, we are happy to help!
Common Dental Emergencies
Some common dental emergencies include the following:
- Tongue, Cheek, or Lip Injury – In these situations, be sure to apply ice to bruising and firm (but gentle) pressure to areas that are bleeding, using a clean cloth or gauze. If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, the child should be brought to the emergency room.
- Broken Braces or Wires – Broken brackets or wires are common. They typically do not cause pain or discomfort, and same-day visits to the dentist are not always necessary. If broken pieces of the appliance can be removed without causing harm, remove them and bring them with to the child’s next dentist appointment.
When an appliance is painful to remove or has become stuck, use wax, gauze, cotton balls, or even chewing gum to cover irritating pieces or edges, and see your dentist as soon as possible. - Broken Tooth – Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth can often be serious injuries, and usually an emergency dental appointment is necessary to address them.
- Knocked Out (Permanent) Tooth – Pick the tooth up by the crown (the top), never the root end. Rinse the tooth gently, and handle it as little as possible before reinserting the tooth into its socket and holding it in place until you can get to a dentist. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, bring it to the dentist in a small, clean container of milk. With any luck, the tooth will not need to be replaced.
- Excessive Bleeding Following Loss of A Baby Tooth – Apply pressure to the bleeding area. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, you should contact your pediatric dentist immediately.
- Broken Jaw – This kind of injury is severe and should be assessed by an emergency room physician.
Pediatric Dentist Near Tinley Park
When you are faced with a dental emergency, you need to have a pediatric dentist in Tinley Park you can depend on to be there for you and your child.
Chicago KiDDS is your emergency children’s dentist near Tinley Park. Do not hesitate to call us immediately to schedule a same-day appointment if and when you encounter a dental emergency. Our team is here to make sure your child’s teeth stay healthy throughout their life.
