How to Deal With a Kids Dental Emergency?

Children often suffer from dental issues that can be upsetting and challenging to deal with without proper help. Whether it is pain, swelling or uncontrolled bleeding, if your child has a problem, you should act quickly.

Rinse the mouth with clean water, apply pressure using a clean cloth or gauze and contact us as soon as possible.

Toothache

If your child complains of a toothache, take them to the dentist right away. The cause of the pain may be impacted food, dental decay, gum disease, an erupting tooth or an abscess. Swelling and a fever in the face or mouth area are also signs of infection that need immediate care.

If the pain is due to sensitivity, avoid hard foods like popcorn, nuts, crunchy cereals and apples. Instead, give them soft foods like yoghurt, avocado and soup.

Alternatively, a telehealth consultation with our pediatric dentist may be sufficient to diagnose the condition and provide guidance until an in-person appointment can be scheduled. In addition, make sure your child rinses their mouth with warm water frequently, and applies a cold compress on the outside of their cheek to reduce swelling. Also, if they bite their lip or tongue, rinse the mouth gently and control any bleeding by applying gentle pressure until it stops. If the cut is severe, visit an emergency room for evaluation and possible sutures.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is another common problem among children that can be distressing for both the child and parent. This condition causes pain after the consumption of cold, hot, sour, or sweet foods and beverages. If you notice that your child is wincing or holding their cheek when they eat, it is best to schedule an emergency dental appointment immediately.

Tooth sensitivity can be a symptom of a number of problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, and cracked teeth. It can also be caused by receding gums, which can expose the underlying dentin and lead to sensitivity.

While tooth sensitivity is not always a kids dental emergency Glasgow KY, it should be addressed as soon as possible so that your child can continue enjoying their favorite treats (responsibly). You can alleviate the symptoms by giving your child over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Additionally, you can apply a topical desensitizing agent that can block the nerve signals in the affected area and reduce sensitivity.

Injuries to the Mouth

Because kids are naturally active and adventurous, they’re more prone to injuries to the mouth. These can include cuts, punctures, or tears to the cheek, lips, tongue, and gums. These types of injuries can cause pain and swelling, and may bleed. It is important to stay calm and rinse the wound gently with warm water. If bleeding is severe, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.

Keeping an eye out for signs of trauma to the mouth can help prevent accumulating problems, and ensure that a child receives prompt dental care. Injuries that go untreated in childhood often escalate into medical emergencies that can be costly and potentially life-threatening.

Knocked-out permanent teeth are considered a dental emergency, and they’re more likely to be saved when replaced within an hour of being knocked out. If this happens, a dentist can use splints to restore the tooth in its proper position and monitor it over time.

Infections

The mouth is a vulnerable area for infection. Infections of the gums and teeth can lead to severe pain, swelling, and infections in other areas of the body. Infections can also be life threatening if they spread to the lungs and heart.

If your child has a toothache that is not controlled by over-the-counter medication or has fever, swelling of the face or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a pus-filled pimple on the gum tissue over an erupted or partially erupted tooth (dentigerous odontogenic cyst), contact us immediately. A kids dental emergency Glasgow KY will drain the abscess and provide antibiotics to prevent future complications.

Bleeding gums should be treated immediately with clean gauze or cotton, and ice should be applied to reduce swelling. Children should rinse with water to clear any fragments of broken teeth and to prevent them from becoming lodged in the mouth or chewing on them, which could result in a more serious dental problem.