Hello, parents! If you’ve ever worried about what to do when a dental emergency strikes your little one, you’re not alone. That’s why this week we’re sharing some extremely valuable information about what you need to know about handling dental emergencies for your kids.
Recognizing a Dental Emergency
Let’s start with the basics: understanding what qualifies as a dental emergency. According to the world of dentistry, a true emergency is, most notably, an avulsed permanent tooth. This means that your child’s permanent tooth has been knocked out completely. When this happens, it’s imperative to act fast because, unlike baby teeth, once a permanent tooth is gone, it’s gone for good unless promptly reinserted by a professional.
If your child’s permanent tooth has been knocked out, make sure to find the tooth and handle it by the crown, not the root. Then rinse it without scrubbing, keep it moist (ideally in milk), and rush to your dentist or emergency dental service immediately. For less severe cases such as a chipped tooth, where only a small piece of the tooth has broken off, it might not be as urgent, although it still requires professional attention. However, if more than half of the tooth is broken or if there’s nerve exposure (which can cause significant pain), this is more urgent and will likely need immediate care.
Additionally, not all dental concerns are emergencies, but they still might be unsettling or uncomfortable. Things like minor swelling from poor brushing or the discovery of new cavities may not need emergency care but do require attention. In these cases, the on-call service will help assess the situation and advise if the issue can wait until regular office hours.
PDAO’s Emergency Line
Did you know that at our office, we provide an around-the-clock emergency line? Whether it’s during after-hours, weekends, or holidays, we have someone on call 24/7 to assist with dental emergencies or even non-urgent dental worries. All you have to do to reach us is call our main number, follow the prompts to leave a voicemail, and someone will get back to you within an hour.
However, in order to avoid having to experience a dental emergency and needing to call our emergency line, we recommend taking preventative measures, especially during active months like spring and summer when kids are more prone to accidents. We encourage the use of mouth guards during sports and teaching children to be aware of their surroundings, which can significantly reduce the risk of dental injuries.
Dental emergencies can be scary, but knowing what to do can make a huge difference. These tips will not only help prepare you to handle such situations better but also remind you to take preventive measures to protect your children’s smiles. In case of any dental concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dental care provider because it’s better safe than sorry when it comes to your kids’ health and well-being!
Find More Resources
For more educational videos and resources that can help keep your child’s smile happy and healthy, check out our YouTube Channel! Make sure you subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications when we drop our latest videos!
