Emergency Pediatric Dentistry
Dealing with a dental emergency can be stressful and overwhelming.
Overview
Dental emergencies can be alarming and unpredictable. A toothache, a broken filling, a knocked-out tooth, or other dental emergency can happen at any time. When your child experiences a dental emergency, knowing what to do and where to turn for help is important. If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, the first step is to remain calm and reach out to Clubhouse Pediatric Dentistry.
With his years of experience, expertise, and knowledge, Dr. Jackson is equipped to take care of your child in an emergency. His warm and friendly demeanor will immediately put you and your child at ease and together you can devise a plan that suits your emergency dental needs.
Dealing with a dental emergency can be stressful and overwhelming, but knowing what to do and where to turn for help can make all the difference. Below we’ve shared information on common emergencies and what can be done to quickly help your child get the care they need.
Recognizing Dental Emergencies
What Constitutes An Emergency?
Being familiar with what a dental emergency is will help your child quickly get the proper care they need.
- Knocked-out tooth
- Trauma to the face, mouth or jaw
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Severe pain or pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medications
- Swelling in the gums and especially facial swelling
- Unexpected bleeding in the mouth
If your child experiences any of these signs and/or symptoms, it’s essential to seek help immediately. Delaying treatment may cause further damage and lead to complications.
What to Do During a Dental Emergency
When a dental emergency happens, staying calm and taking action is extremely important. Here are some steps you can take:
- For a knocked-out tooth: Try to recover the tooth. Do NOT RINSE WITH WATER! It’s best to keep the tooth in saliva (spit), but milk is another option to keep the tooth from drying out. If the tooth is a baby tooth, it may not be an emergency to replace it. Call us and we will let you know what to do.
- For pain: Give your child over-the-counter pain medications according to the package instructions. NEVER give a child anything containing Aspirin! You may also rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the affected area.
- For bleeding: Apply gentle pressure to the bleeding area with gauze or a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
- Take pictures of the affected area to send to Dr. Jackson if needed.
- Be thorough in explaining your child’s emergency and give their name and date of birth and weight when leaving a message on our emergency line.
It’s important to note that in some cases, the best course of action may be to go to the nearest emergency room. If the dental emergency coincides with a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
How to Find an Emergency Dentist
One of the many benefits of being a patient at Clubhouse Pediatric Dentistry is that we offer emergency dental services! We’re here to help you and your child when you need us! If your child is not one of our patients, we will help if we can, but contacting your established pediatric or family dentist most often results in faster care since they know your child’s background and history.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
While dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, there are steps you can take to reduce your child’s risk. Encourage them to:
- Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, as well as regular dental cleanings and exams.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or other activities that could pose a risk to the mouth and teeth.
- Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects.
- Be careful when biting and chewing food.
- Test the temperature of foods before putting them in the mouth.
Taking these precautions can help your child avoid dental emergencies and keep their teeth healthy and strong.
Your Emergency Pediatric Dentist
At Clubhouse Pediatric Dentistry in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Jackson Hole we’re here to help you and your child feel more comfortable and confident when it comes to dental emergencies. We’re committed to providing our patients with the best possible care. By recognizing dental emergencies, knowing how to respond, and taking steps to prevent them in the future, you can help your child stay healthy and avoid unnecessary complications. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you ever need emergency dental care – we’re here to help!
