Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and having a strategy to deal with such unfortunate events could be the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Children are especially at risk of suffering a serious dental mishap due to their playful nature, and a cracked or broken tooth could spell disaster at any moment. Here is a look at common dental emergencies that your child could encounter, and ways to quickly deal with the matter so as to spare your child from excruciating pain or bleeding and the possibility of permanently losing a tooth.

Cut lip or tongue

Your child could easily injure their mouth tissue if they happen to trip while running or accidentally bite their tongue. The first thing to do in such a scenario would be to try and control the bleeding by applying pressure to the injured area using a gauze or cloth. Ice can help control the swelling in the affected area, while some pain killers could help reduce the pain. Next, take your child to a pediatric dentist or your hospital emergency room for further treatment so as to prevent further bleeding and the chance of an infection setting in.

Knocked out tooth

In case your child's tooth gets knocked out in an accident, you should first try to locate the tooth as quickly as possible. Once you find the tooth, handle it by the crown, not the root, and rinse it with warm water. This is important as moisture helps keep the tooth viable for longer, but you should be careful not to wash away any tissue fragments around the root that could be used by a dentist for reattachment.

Next, carefully place the tooth in a tooth preservation kit or in a jar with some salty water. This should help preserve the tooth for about an hour or so, giving you ample time to rush your child to a pediatric dentist so the tooth can be reattached.

Toothache

A sudden toothache that causes your child sharp and unbearable pain coupled with swelling could indicate a serious injury to the tooth and gums. Firstly, locate the affected tooth and clean it with a cool towel, before rinsing your child's mouth with warm water. Next, examine the area for any food particles or other foreign objects lodged in the tooth and use a toothpick or dental floss to gently remove it. To subside the swelling, apply ice wrapped in a cloth on the injured area, before rushing your child to a dentist for treatment.

If your child engages in high contact sports, encourage them to use a mouth guard while playing to minimize the risk of a serious dental injury. For more information, talk to a professional like Cobbe Dental & Orthodontics.

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