About 80% of the children go to a dental check-up (of both kinds – regular as well as emergency) at least once a year. If an issue within the mouth, teeth, or gums of children aged 0-18 has arisen unexpectedly (and is not treated instantly), it is a pediatric dental emergency.
The child and their guardians may get upset at an emergency dental checkup. This all places emphasis on the importance of diagnosis and management of such emergencies as soon as possible.
Identifying Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Learning how to recognize a genuine pediatric dental emergency is the primary way to safeguard your child’s teeth. Pediatric dental emergencies often involve:
- Severe Toothache
- Knocked-Out Tooth
- Chipped or Fractured Teeth
- Dental Abscess
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Dislodged Dental Restorations
Other orthodontic emergencies could include braces that are broken or sharp and create immense pressure or pain. If any of the above occurs, you need to seek out an emergency pediatric dentist near me in the Upper East Side.
Assessing the Urgency of Pediatric Dental Issues
Not every issue with your teeth and gums qualifies as an emergency. Here’s how to figure out which ones are urgent and which ones can wait.
Urgent Issues
The best course of action is to visit a pediatric dentist or the closest emergency dental facility if you have a toothache, a chipped tooth that has fallen out, swollen, inflamed gums, as well as significant bleeding.
Non-Urgent Issues
Small or moderate toothaches, small chips, painless teeth, or a slightly wiggly and not sore baby tooth usually means you can go to the next regular dental checkup a few days later.
In the event of any uncertainty, get a dental practitioner to advise you.
Being Prepared for Pediatric Dental Emergencies
With dental emergencies, prevention is better than cure. Here’s how you can be prepared.
Create a Dental First Aid Kit
Sterile gauze is used to control bleeding. Use a small vial to carry a knocked-out tooth.
Educate Yourself and Your Child
Parents should educate their children on how to safeguard their teeth any time they play sports through the use of mouth guards. Explain why it is good to avoid eating hard candies and ice to avoid instances where there is a crack or chip.
Have Emergency Contacts Ready
Ensure that you have the contacts and the address of your pediatric dentist as well as emergency dental service. This is because the presence of preparedness enhances your ability to respond positively to challenges whenever they occur.
Consulting a Regular Dentist vs. a Pediatric Specialist
While general dentists can handle many dental issues, pediatric specialists offer additional benefits, including:
- Specialized Training: Several reasons include making a dental check-up more comfortable for children and also specifically trained to handle children’s dental behavior.
- Child-Friendly Environment: Emergency management of pediatric patients is made easy since the dental clinics are developed to make the children feel relaxed.
- Expertise in Developing Teeth: A pediatric dentist has extensive knowledge of the development of teeth and jaws, and it is critical during the developmental stages of the child.
Complex injuries, emergencies concerning younger children and those that need specialized attention should be handled by a pediatric dentist such as Smiles and Grins.
Reach Out to Our Pediatric Emergency Dentist for Assistance
Emergency dental issues in your life are something we attend to with a professional dentist who will give you adequate care. We have flexibility on the hours we set for patients to ensure that they can attend appointments at any time they require speedy services. It is important to get treatment for your child as soon as you notice signs of potentially developing cavities.
Ensure Immediate Care for Your Child
Like all dental emergencies, speed is the most important thing. Guidelines to protect your child’s oral health include the following.
For Knocked-Out Teeth
Get the tooth by the crown/base, not the root part. Wash it briefly under running water and then put it in milk or saline. You should consult an expert in dentistry as soon as possible because the reimplantation will be most effective in the first 60 minutes.
For Severe Pain or Swelling
Put ice on the affected area for some time. Give child-safe analgesics if required. See a dentist immediately so that they can be informed about the problem and treatment can begin.
For Broken Braces or Wires
A piece of dental wax or a small piece of gauze should be used to avoid getting closer to these sharp edges. Visit your orthodontist if you can to get the appliance fixed.
For Bleeding
Dentists usually use a sterile gauze or clean cloth to apply pressure on the root of the wound. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, consult an emergency dentist. If you act immediately and follow professional direction, the outcome is likely to be the best for your child.
In Summary
Most dental emergencies regarding children can be a surprise, but knowing what a pediatric dental emergency is and what has to be done to fix it is certainly handy. If you want to protect your child’s teeth, it is important to prevent a problem, act on time, and get referred to a specialist if necessary.
