Children are very active and prone to dental emergencies.
If you’ve found yourself in an emergency, we know that it can be overwhelming, but know that you’ll never have to go through it on your own. At The Children’s Dental Centre, our knowledgeable and experienced team is always here to help!
If you are currently having an emergency, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Please call us at 416-252-KIDS (5437), and we can give you instructions on what to do until you can see us.
Just looking for information on dental emergencies to be prepared? Well, you are in the right place! Keep reading to learn more about some common dental emergencies your child can experience and what to do when it’s happening.
When to Seek Emergency Care
We know that when it comes to your child, you’ll do anything to keep them safe. Sometimes emergencies are out of your control and can happen unexpectedly. At The Children’s Dental Centre we see all sorts of dental accidents. From bouncy castle bumps to a slip in the bathtub– we’ve got you covered!
Dental trauma (tooth fractures) and dental infections are typically the most common types of dental care requiring immediate care, however, if you are unsure if your child needs emergency care, feel free to give us a call. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately:
- Swelling in the mouth
- Swelling of the cheek or face
- Chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- Trauma to the cheeks, jaws, or lips
- Bleeding or aching gums
- Dental pain
Why Is Emergency Dental Care Important?
If your child is having a dental emergency, it is important that they have a dentist check them soon. Seeing their dentist immediately is important for the following reasons:
- Your child can avoid experiencing unnecessary pain
- There is a better chance of saving your child’s teeth
- Immediate care can reduce the risk of infection
- We may be able to prevent further damage to your child’s teeth & oral tissues
Common Dental Emergencies & What to Do
Dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, and it can be upsetting to both the parents and to the child. These surprise situations often happen in the evening or on the weekends, when it may be difficult to find some advice. At The Children’s Dental Centre, we offer an after hours emergency call line. A quick call to 647-613-KIDS (5437) may help relieve that immediate anxiety that a parent may be feeling.
Here are the top 3 common dental emergencies and what you should do until you can see the dentist.
Knocked Out, Chipped or Broken Teeth
Every parent worries about their child knocking out some teeth. If this unfortunate event happens to your child, the first step is to control the bleeding. If the tooth that fell out is a baby tooth, DO NOT place it back in the child’s mouth. The dentist will explain why you NEVER want to put a baby tooth back in the mouth if it is knocked out. If the child’s permanent tooth was knocked out and there is no risk of choking, gently clean off any debris, and try placing the tooth back in the socket until you can see your dentist. If not, keep the tooth in a glass of cold milk. This can help to preserve the tooth and your child’s dentist will have a better chance of replanting it. Call The Children’s Dental Centre, and we can advise you on the next steps.
A chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth can happen quite easily. Something as simple as a sports ball to the face, or a fall, can end up damaging their teeth. Check to see if the tooth has any pink showing. Pink colour on the white enamel may be residual blood from the injury, or it could be an exposed nerve. If the nerve is exposed, the tooth may require a root canal. No matter how your child damaged their tooth, it is important to get it looked at right away.
Before heading to the dentist make sure to rinse out your child’s mouth with water, and look for any signs of swelling or bleeding. To ease your child’s pain you can give them a dose of children’s Tylenol or children’s ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). A cold compress on their cheek where the injury has occured may ease the pain as well.
Dental Infection
Dental infections can sometimes be difficult for a parent to spot. Some children may not exhibit pain, however the root of the tooth is infected below the gums. One sign of infection is a fever for some unknown reason. If other illnesses can be ruled out, then there may be an infected tooth hiding under the lip. Lifting the lip to see all the teeth and gums is important for parents to do twice a day when they brush their child’s teeth. If the child has a gum boil (appears like a pimple filled with pus) next to a tooth, there is likely an infected tooth associated with it. Pain that wakes a child out of sleep could be the sign of a serious infection and the child should see the dentist soon.
Severe Pain
Some kids experience a toothache at some point throughout their lives. Parents may not realize that the child has pain. Children experiencing severe pain are sometimes not able to articulate what they are feeling, and in the end won’t complain of pain. However, some children with dental pain will exhibit behaviours such as not eating or drinking well, avoiding cold and sweet foods, not sleeping well, waking in the middle of the night, acting lethargic, and avoiding their favourite activities. This may be an indication to see a dentist soon.
If children have a toothache due to dental trauma, over the counter pain medications can help at first. Sometimes, lukewarm salt water rinses can help soothe injured gums. Once the dentist has examined the child’s mouth to find the source of the pain, they can discuss the treatment options with the parent.
We’re One Call Away
At The Children’s Dental Centre, your child’s health is our number one priority.
If you are currently dealing with an emergency, or, if you have any questions or concerns, please call us right away! We are always happy to help.