At American Dental, we welcome patients of all ages, including children. That’s how we know summer is prime time for dental injuries involving children. Rough play, sports, and other physical activities can lead to mouth injuries that damage the teeth. By the time your child is 10, many of their permanent teeth will already have grown in, so it’s important that you act to prevent tooth loss immediately any time a mouth injury occurs. Here’s how to handle some common pediatric tooth injuries:
Broken or Chipped Tooth
Strong impacts can cause a tooth to become chipped or fractured. When this happens, it is absolutely a dental emergency and should be treated as soon as possible. If the tooth is chipped, see if you can locate any missing pieces; in some cases, they can be reattached. Store the broken tooth pieces in a plastic container, completely submerging them in milk or saline solution. If the tooth is jagged and causing discomfort to your child, you can encase it in dental wax until they can get to an emergency dentist.
Knocked-out Tooth
If a tooth becomes completely dislodged from the mouth, it can still be saved if you act quickly enough. Locate the missing tooth and pick it up by the crown – never touch the roots or you could damage them – and put it in a plastic container with milk or saline solution. Give your child some clean gauze to bite down on. This will prevent excessive bleeding and protect the socket from dirt and debris. If the tooth is clean, you can also try gently placing it back in the socket. Then, give your child a piece of gauze and tell them to bite down gently to keep the tooth in place. In either case, schedule an emergency dental appointment immediately to give your child the best possible chance of retaining their lost tooth.
Toothache
A toothache is not always a dental emergency, but you should get it checked out immediately to be sure. It could be a sign of an infection or potentially life-threatening abscess. If your child is in too much pain, you can apply some over-the-counter topical medication or clove oil to the affected area and use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling while they wait to be treated.
Lost Filling
Again, a lost filling is not necessarily a dental emergency, but it should be treated as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from getting to the tooth root. You can seal the exposed cavity with dental wax to protect it and prevent discomfort from any sharp edges. Schedule a dental appointment right away.
Emergency Dentistry in Chicago
American Dental provides emergency dental services in Palos Heights and other communities at our 8 clinics in the Chicago area. If you are experiencing a dental emergency or need any other dental services, call (773) 284-1645 or request an appointment online to find the clinic closest to you.