Common Dental Emergencies Among Children

What should you do if your child has a dental emergency? You can always reach out to us if you have a question about whether you need to be seen in our office for a dental emergency. If your child has oral pain, it’s important to take care of these issues as soon as possible.

Here are some of the most common dental emergencies in children:

Toothache

A sudden toothache may be the result of an infection, injury, fractured tooth, or another issue. Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help to provide temporary relief.

If your child’s toothache seems to be caused by an infection, they may need an antibiotic to fight off the infection. When the tooth is severely decayed, a pulpotomy may be necessary. During a pulpotomy, the diseased part of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is “capped,” or sealed, with a crown.

Knocked-out Tooth

While losing a tooth can be scary, it happens more often than you’d think. One tooth can be knocked out due to an accident or injury or because of tooth decay. If you’ve lost your child’s tooth, try to locate the tooth. If it can’t be found, make sure you call your dentist immediately.

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with cool water. Do not scrub it or remove any tissue attached to the tooth. If you can see the tooth’s root, it’s best to place the tooth back in the socket. If that isn’t possible, place the tooth in a clean container with milk or saliva. The tooth should be placed back in the socket as quickly as possible. Your child should see the dentist as soon as possible.

Broken/fractured Tooth

A broken or fractured tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. A broken tooth is a crack or chip in the tooth enamel and may require a dental crown. Early treatment is important to limit damage to the tooth.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

A bitten lip or tongue can cause bleeding, pain, and swelling. These injuries can be painful, but they require immediate care. A toothpaste with topical anesthetic can help relieve pain while your child waits for a dental appointment. Rinsing their mouth with salt water a few times a day can also help.

If the cut is deep or bleeding heavily, go to the emergency room.

Object Caught Between Teeth

An object caught between teeth is another common dental emergency among children that may require immediate attention. When this happens, don’t panic. Gently remove the object by flossing around and between the teeth. If a child doesn’t have floss, you can gently remove the object with dental floss.

If the object can’t be removed, call your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. They may recommend pulling the tooth to prevent the damage from getting worse.

Regular, preventative care is the best tool for preventing dental pain in children. Make sure you're scheduling those check-ups every six months so we can keep an eye out for any potential problems. And remember, we are here for you when emergencies happen.

Chaffee Pediatric Dentistry provides solutions for all your child's dental problems. We are located at 1239 East McKellips Rd #107, Mesa, AZ 85203. You can reach us at 480.739.2993.