Most parents know that taking their children to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings is important, but what about when your child has a dental emergency? According to the American Dental Association, over 5 million teeth are knocked out each year, so what is considered a dental emergency? When a toothache, broken tooth, or another dental emergency occurs, our dentists at Floss Boss Pediatric Dentistry are trained to handle a wide range of emergency dental issues, which may include:
Toothache: If your child has a toothache, the first thing you should do is have them rinse their mouth with warm salt water to help dislodge any food that may be trapped between their teeth. Then use a cold compress to help reduce any swelling. If the pain persists, call your pediatric dentist at Floss Boss.
Knocked Out Tooth: If your child knocks out a tooth, try to find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the part that’s visible in the mouth), not the root. If possible, try to insert the tooth back into its socket gently. If reinsertion isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water. Stopping the bleeding is most important. Don’t remove any attached tissue, it will help us re-secure the tooth!
Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth: If your child breaks a tooth, rinse their mouth with warm water and then apply a cold compress to any bleeding areas. If possible, recover part of the tooth that had broken off and rinse both mouth and the salvaged tooth pieces with warm water. Be sure to call your emergency pediatric dentist at Floss Boss as soon as possible.
How to Avoid Dental Emergencies
Accidents can happen at any time, so the best way to stay in front of a dental emergency is to be preventative. Schedule regular exams every six months and practice good oral hygiene at home. Brush at least twice a day, floss once per day, and avoid hard foods that may damage your teeth!
Dental emergencies can be scary for kids and parents alike, but knowing what to do in case of a dental emergency can help ensure that your child’s teeth are taken care of quickly and effectively. Floss Boss Pediatric Dentistry is a family-owned, state-of-the-art pediatric dental office that focuses on making your child comfortable during treatment. If your child needs a dental crown, tooth extraction, or emergency dental care, Dr. Sanghavi and her experienced team will always be there to relieve your child from dental pain and discomfort. Floss Boss offers same-day dental emergency appointments so if your child is suffering from any of the above issues, kindly contact us at (908) 495-6518 or email us at [email protected] right away.
