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Dental problems are never fun, especially when they involve your child. In addition to helping your son or daughter remain calm in these situations, it’s crucial to know what qualifies as an emergency and what is treatable at home. La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry understands dental emergencies can be scary, which is why they want parents to know when to bring their little ones into the office. Here are five instances when your child needs emergency dental care and how to resolve the problem.

Knocked-Out Teeth

Knocked-out teeth, also called dental avulsions, can be caused by everything from rough play to a blow to the face during a sports game. If your child has one or more of their teeth knocked out, find the teeth and rinse them off carefully with clean water. Handle teeth by the crown, and never touch the roots. Store the teeth in lukewarm water or cold milk, and seek emergency dental care as soon as possible.

Displaced Teeth

If your child’s teeth are displaced, they might be pushed upwards, inwards, or to the side in an unnatural position. Instead of moving the teeth back into place on your own, offer your child a mild pain reliever and visit the dentist. After carefully examining the teeth with X-rays, your dentist will decide how to move the teeth back into their original position.

Dental Fractures

Dental fractures are especially painful for kids because they can create jagged, sharp edges and extreme sensitivity. If fractures are superficial, dentists can usually resolve them by smoothing the tooth or adding composite resin bonding material to the broken edge. If the fracture is deep or has damaged the root, the tooth might need to be extracted. However, if your child still has their baby teeth, a fracture won’t affect them long term.

Ongoing Toothaches

emergency dental careToothaches are caused by everything from unresolved tooth decay to teeth grinding, which is why you should bring your child to the dentist if they experience continuing pain. Your pediatric dentist will check your child’s teeth for problems, treat the issues, and even apply protective sealants to prevent future damage.

Abscesses

Dental abscesses are infections that have grown out of control, and they are exceptionally painful. If your child has bad breath, complains of bad tooth pain, or has swelling, pus, or bleeding in their gum tissue, they might have an abscessed tooth. Abscesses are resolved by draining the area and treating the damaged tooth.

If you aren’t sure what to do the next time your son or daughter experiences a dental emergency, contact La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to offering emergency dental care, they also specialize in preventive services and restorative dentistry for children and teens. For more information about their practice, visit them online or call (608) 782-4054.

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