When a child you take care of experiences a dental emergency, taking certain precautions or preventive measures can help you save their smile. Daycare providers should alert parents immediately, so they can make an emergency dental appointment.
If you have the authority to schedule the dental visit, don’t delay, the more time that passes, the risk of tooth loss or more extensive treatment being required, increases.
If the issue has caused any difficulty in breathing, or the child has swallowed a tooth, a trip to the emergency room is strongly recommended.
Dislodged Tooth or Crown
If a tooth is completely avulsed, try to locate the tooth and gently rinse, being careful not to disturb the natural fibers of the tooth. Place it in a glass of milk or some lightly salted water and do not try to fit the tooth back into the socket if the patient is a child, as it can pose a choking risk.
Broken Tooth
Attending to a broken or chipped tooth promptly is important to avoid further damage and soft tissue abrasions from any sharp edges. Prior to seeing the dentist, rinse the child’s mouth with salt-water and apply gauze to stop any bleeding. If pain, swelling or bleeding persists, alert the parent so they can consider taking the child to the emergency room.
Toothaches and Abscesses
Use a salt-water rinse to help relieve tooth pain, and if permitted, baby Orajel or a similar topical pain reliever can be used. Applying a cold compress can also help.
Abscesses are serious and should be treated by a dental or medical professional as promptly. Treat as you would a toothache until the parents arrive.
Dr. Zotovich welcomes children with dental emergencies in San Jose and offers affordable solutions for your child’s dental issues.
If a child you are caring for has suffered a dental injury or is experiencing dental pain,
call our children’s dental office for more information – We are here to help!
(408) 259-1130