Dental emergencies can cause a lot of pain and some can cause permanent damage or require extensive treatment if ignored. Even though most people have a regular dentist to go to, there are times when they cannot see the dentist immediately, which is why it is important for people with kids to know how to handle some common dental emergencies at home before getting professional treatment.
Some of the ways to handle dental emergencies children may have before they can see the dentist include:
Toothaches can be very painful. Fortunately, parents can relieve the pain before taking the kid to the dentist by thoroughly rinsing the child’s mouth with warm water and using dental floss to remove any food particles that are stuck between teeth. If the toothache causes swelling in the child’s mouth, the parent can apply a cold compress on the outside of their mouth above the swelling to reduce it. The child can also be given children’s aspirin for the pain. The parent should never apply it to the gums surrounding the affected tooth because it can damage the child’s gum tissues.
If the child breaks or chips a tooth, the parent should save any of the fallen pieces before rinsing the child’s mouth and the recovered pieces of the tooth with warm water. If the child is bleeding, the parent should put a piece of gauze on the affected area until the bleeding stops. A cold compress can also be applied on the affected area to reduce swelling and relieve the pain before the child gets to see the dentist.
If a child’s dental filling becomes loose and falls out, it exposes the nerves in their tooth and can be very painful. The problem can be fixed temporarily by using sugar-free gum to cover the hole in the child’s tooth or using a dental cement, which can be found at pharmacies, to hold the filling in place until the child can see the dentist.
If the child loses a dental crown, the parent should schedule an appointment with the dentist to get it taken care of as soon as possible. If the child cannot see the dentist immediately and is in a lot of pain, the pain can be relieved by applying clove oil to the sensitive area using a cotton swab.
If the crown is still intact, the parent can try to slip it back in place. Parents should make sure that the inner surface of the crown is coated with dental cement to hold it in place until the child can see the dentist. Parents should not use regular glue or super glue to hold it in place as that can poison the child and damage the teeth.
If the child wears braces and a wire is sticking out of a bracket poking their cheek or tongue, the parent should use a pencil eraser head to move the wire to a more comfortable position so it does not continue to poke the child’s cheek and tongue. If the parent is unable to move the wire to another position, they can cover the end that is sticking out with orthodontic wax or a piece of cotton ball until the child gets to see the dentist.
If your child has a common dental emergency, the first thing you should do is contact your dentist to schedule an appointment. If you cannot see your dentist immediately, these tips should help you handle most common dental emergencies until the child can see the dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.lightbreezedental.com or call Light Breeze Dental at (949) 274-4719 for an appointment in our Irvine office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Emergencies in Irvine, CA.
Wondering when you should see an emergency dentist? Read on to learn more. Regular dental care can prevent emergency dental treatment. Unfortunately, dental emergencies do happen unexpectedly, even if you brush and floss regularly. In such cases, it is a great idea to visit an emergency dentist immediately.Many people do not know whether their dental…
An emergency dentist may be necessary. The tissue that makes up your gums does not grow back, so it can be scary in the unlikely event that you get lacerated on your gums. To clarify, a cut that comes from everyday activities such as flossing, brushing your teeth too vigorously, or biting down wrongly on…
Emergency dentistry provides the urgent treatments that you need when you need them. This can end up saving your life because untreated dental issues like infections can be life-threatening. Emergency dentistry also gets you relief from any pain and discomfort caused by the oral problem that you are struggling with.Wondering what life-threatening issues quick dental…
An abscessed tooth most likely will not go away on its own. If the symptoms become severe or exist for an extended period of time, then you may need to visit an emergency dentist to promptly treat the dental abscess. There are different treatment options an emergency dentist may recommend to treat an abscessed tooth. An…
General dentists typically recommend professional teeth whitening once per year for patients who are cavity-free and in good oral health overall. Understanding who makes an ideal candidate for professional, in-office teeth whitening can help you determine if you should schedule a consultation visit for the procedure. Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that brightens your…
Your Irvine family dentist plays an important role in your oral health because they help you prevent cavities and gum disease while providing you with tips on how to improve your oral health. Even if you already practice good oral hygiene, these tips will help improve your oral health.Practicing good oral hygiene means you have…