Emergency Child Dental Care
Q: What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?
A: Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
© Copyright 1995-99 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. All rights reserved
| |
|
|
|
Emergency Child Dental Care
Q: What should I do if my child's permanent tooth is knocked out?
A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap -- use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. (Call the emergency number if it's after hours.) The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
© Copyright 1995-99 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. All rights reserved
| |
|
|
|
Emergency Child Dental Care
Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?
A: Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.
© Copyright 1995-99 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. All rights reserved
| |
|
|
|
Emergency Child Dental Care
Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?
A: Go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.
© Copyright 1995-99 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. All rights reserved
| |
|
|
|
Emergency Child Dental Care
Q: What if my child has a toothache?
A: Call your pediatric dentist and visit the office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.
© Copyright 1995-99 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. All rights reserved
| |
|
|
|
Emergency Child Dental Care
Q: Can dental injuries be prevented?
A: Absolutely! First, reduce oral injury in sports by wearing mouth guards. Second, always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects. Fourth, protect your child from unnecessary toothaches with regular dental visits and preventive care.
© Copyright 1995-99 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. All rights reserved
| |
|
|
|
Handling Dental Emergencies After Hours
Toothache
1. The best medication you can take is an anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin or ibuprophen. Use as directed. Do not apply directly to the tooth. This would only burn the gum.
2. Apply a cold compress or cold water to the tooth; do not apply hot towels or hot compresses. Toothaches are usually caused by bacterial infections. Heat can cause the bacteria to grow faster and potentially cause a much more serious infection.
3. Clean the tooth thoroughly and floss out any food or debris stuck between the teeth.
| |
|
|
|
Handling Dental Emergencies After Hours
Lost Fillings
Clean the area thoroughly. Some pharmacies stock a temporary filling material (Den-Cap). If this cannot be found, sugarless gum is a suitable substitute.
| |
|
|
|
Handling Dental Emergencies After Hours
Lost Crown
Sometimes it is possible to simply snap the crown back in place. However if it remains loose, you should just leave it off until you can see the dentist. Toothpaste or denture adhesive may also be used.
| |
|
|
|
