It’s natural for children to play with others and sustain injuries along the way, from scratched knees to harmless falls. However, there are times when kids could fall and break a tooth. It’s essential to know when to contact an emergency dentist for kids if this happens. The more prepared you are, the more you can help your child as soon as an accident occurs. Know what to do ahead of time by learning the answers to the most frequently asked questions below.

Questions About Dental Emergencies Answered

What is considered a dental emergency?

Anything that directly impacts a tooth or the jaw constitutes an emergency, including lost, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth, an object stuck between teeth or elsewhere in the mouth, a broken jaw, or a severe toothache that hasn’t gone away in several days. Swollen, bleeding gums or tissue also need urgent care, especially if they’re leaking pus. Sharp, severe pain in the gums may indicate erupting wisdom teeth, which will probably need to be removed through surgery and sedation dentistry.

What problems can wait until the next day?

Toothaches don’t require emergency attention, but if they persist, make a dentist appointment to have it checked out. Although a chipped or cracked tooth should be examined as soon as possible, it doesn’t require rushing to a pediatric dentist. If you can stop blood or pus from flowing, you may be able to put off a visit at the dental clinic, but don’t wait longer than a day or two.

What should you do in the meantime?

If there is any blood or abscesses, stem it with gauze. Press a cold compress to a broken jaw until you can find an emergency dentist for kids to look at it. For persistent toothaches, have your child swish warm water around the mouth and then spit it out. If the source is something stuck in the teeth, see if you can remove it with floss, but don’t use anything sharp. For any dental emergency, alleviate the pain with ibuprofen until it receives professional attention.

How can you avoid dental emergencies?

To reduce trips to an emergency dentist for kids, teach your child to be cautious. No tearing things open with their teeth or carrying objects in their mouth, especially sharp ones. When playing sports, make sure your child has a mouthguard. If your kid is little enough to struggle with coordination, block off staircases and other dangerous areas.

If you need an emergency dentist for kids, the team at Discovery Dental in Anchorage, AK, treats a variety of issues effectively to ensure your child’s oral health is optima. They use the latest technology and techniques to provide emergency and non-emergency services, such as teeth cleanings, preventative dentistry, broken teeth, and toothaches. To schedule an appointment for your little one, call (907) 622-5437 or visit them online to browse their services.