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As a parent, it can be difficult to determine which dental issues require prompt care versus those that can wait until the dentist’s next available appointment. If your child ever sustains an injury or complains of tooth pain, here’s a helpful list to help you determine what constitutes a dental emergency. 

5 Children’s Dental Issues Warranting Emergency Care

1. Severe Toothache

A minor toothache may indicate a cavity, which typically doesn’t need immediate medical attention. Severe pain, however, could suggest a more serious dental issue such as an infection or abscess. Check that the discomfort isn’t due to food trapped between teeth, then have your child rinse their mouth with warm salt water. You can give them an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, then call the dentist for immediate care.

2. Cracked Tooth

Tiny surface chips can usually be treated during the office’s next available appointment, but complete cracks should be addressed as soon as possible. In some cases, the tooth’s dentin or sensitive nerves could be exposed. Have your child rinse their mouth with water to keep the area clean, then apply a cold compress to their cheek before heading to the dentistry office.

3. Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue

While a minor bitten lip, cheek, or tongue may not require immediate care, take your child to an emergency room for any soft tissue injuries in the mouth that don’t stop bleeding after 15 minutes. In the meantime, apply consistent pressure with gauze. For minor cuts, rinse the mouth and have your child apply a cold compress if the area is accessible.

4. Knocked Out Tooth

dentistThe sooner a knocked out permanent tooth is addressed by a dental professional, the better the odds are for a full recovery. Make an emergency appointment immediately and have your child reinsert the tooth in its socket. Encourage them to hold it in place with clean gauze. If your child cannot reinsert the tooth, transport it in a cup of milk.

5. Jaw Injury

From contact sports to outdoor activities, accidents can happen. If your child sustains a jaw injury and you suspect there could be a fracture, seek immediate treatment with your child’s dentist or the nearest emergency room. In the meantime, apply a cold compress to minimize pain and swelling.

 

If your child ever experiences a dental emergency, bring them to the caring team at Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu, HI. With over 50 years of experience, these dentists offer quality care in a comforting environment and provide emergency care during normal office hours as well as instructions for reaching the staff after hours. Learn more about their approach to children’s dentistry by visiting their website, or call (808) 593-8828 to schedule an appointment.

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