Having to face an emergency is something that no parent wants to have to deal with, yet it is also a rite of passage. Life is unpredictable, and accidents happen. While there is no way to prevent these things from happening, you can be better prepared.
Don’t Panic!
Kids are curious and clumsy, and sometimes that combination will lead to an accident. The most important thing to remember is not to panic. Your first order of business is to comfort your child, and your reaction will influence his or hers.
Assess the Problem.
The most common problems we encounter are:
- Toothache: In the event of a nagging toothache, rinse your child’s mouth with water and apply a cold compress. You will want to schedule an appointment to have the affected area x-rayed for further treatment.
- Chipped or broken tooth: If your child chips or breaks a tooth, try and locate the broken fragment, then contact your dentist immediately.
- Lost primary tooth: rinse your child’s mouth and apply a cold compress to reduce any swelling. Contact your dentist immediately.
- Lost permanent tooth: try to locate the tooth. Rinse it gently with cool water. Try to replace the tooth in its socket if possible, then hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you cannot replace the tooth, place it in a container with cold milk. Immediately take your child to his or her dentist.
Make Sure the Problem Isn’t More Serious.
If you child lost or chipped a tooth after hitting their head and lost consciousness, contact your physician or go to the emergency room immediately. Head injuries can be very serious, so assess and treat any head injuries before dental damage.
We Are Available 24/7.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the event of a dental emergency. If you have any questions, or you have a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
