While active children get plenty of exercise, they’re sometimes more likely to sustain injuries. Bumps and bruises are rarely causes for concern, but dental injuries are different—many need to be cared for right away. Learn about how to treat and prevent dental injuries in the following guide so you know when to take your child to an emergency pediatric dentist.

Common Mouth Injuries

Children who play rough, spend time outside, or participate in sports are more prone to dental injuries like the following: 

• Loose teeth: These should tighten up again on their own.
• Cracked teeth: A small chip can be fixed later, but a fractured tooth will need to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid infection.
• Knocked-out teeth: If it’s an adult tooth, you should take your child to an emergency pediatric dentist as soon as possible to reattach it.

Immediate Treatment

If your child has a dental injury, treat it immediately. If there’s any bleeding, apply pressure using wet gauze. Ice packs or pops can help ease pain. If you have child-safe painkillers, you can give those as well. When in doubt, call your emergency pediatric dentist to ask if the injury warrants an immediate visit.

Injury Prevention

Preventing the number one cause of dental injury is simple: have kids wear safety gear like mouthguards, helmets, and face cages during sports. Encourage your child to wear this gear even outside of sports if they enjoy high-speed activities like biking or skateboarding. Baby-proof your home by taping down rugs, covering slippery floors, and anchoring wobbly furniture to help prevent injuries from falling as well.

If your child has a dental injury, contact the emergency pediatric dentists at Kapolei Keiki Dental. They not only provide immediate dental services, but also teeth whitening, braces, and other preventive and restorative care. You can trust their long history of excellence—they’ve been voted the Best Dentists in Hawaii every year since 2009. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (808) 944-1020 to make an appointment.