How Do I Handle a Kid’s Dental Emergency?

Unexpected accidents happen, especially with kids. It’s something always in the back of all parents’ minds, and no parent ever wants their child to have an emergency. Dental emergencies are no exception, and they can be particularly concerning and confusing. What’s the right thing to do? What shouldn’t you do? Don’t worry, your pediatric dentist in Spring is here to help you through any dental emergency. 

Different Emergencies Require Different Care

Not all dental emergencies should be handled the same way, so we’ve outlined some of the most common emergencies and what you can do if they happen to your child. 

• Chipped or Broken Tooth – First, rinse the mouth and any broken pieces you happen to find with warm water. If your child is bleeding, apply gauze and a bit of pressure to help stop it. Swelling and pain can be reduced with a cold compress. 
• Knocked Out Tooth – It’s important to realize that baby teeth are important as they are placeholders for permanent, adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost before it’s allowed to fall out naturally, it could lead to dental problems down the road. So any knocked-out baby tooth should be treated quickly. The key to saving a knocked-out tooth is to find it as soon as possible. If you happen to find it, make sure to only touch the tooth crown. Avoid touching the roots. You can then try to gently wiggle the tooth back into its socket. If that doesn’t work, submerge the tooth in a glass of milk and get to your pediatric dentist in Spring as soon as you can. A tooth has the best chance of survival if it’s returned to the socket within an hour. 
• Toothache – A toothache is typically a sign of a bigger problem and shouldn’t be ignored. See your child’s dentist as soon as possible to allow them to check out what’s going on and offer a solution. In the meantime, you can help ease toothache pain by placing a cold compress on the area with a thin barrier protecting the skin and some pain reliever if it’s appropriate for your child. A quick rinse with warm salt water can help, too. Whatever you do, do NOT place aspirin directly on the gums as it can cause tissue damage. 
• Something’s Stuck Between Teeth – When a pesky food particle or something else gets wedged between teeth, there could be pain, and it’s best to remove the object gently and safely using dental floss. Avoid using anything sharp to pick it out. 

No matter what type of emergency your little one may have, a good rule of thumb is always to call your Spring pediatric dentist as soon as you can. They can often direct you on the next steps to take.

About The Author

Dr. Leslie Blackburn

Dr. Leslie Blackburn always knew she wanted to work with children and decided to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry. She enrolled at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, where she received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery and Master of Science in Dental Education. She finished the last leg of her education at Yale University, where she obtained her certificate in Pediatric Dentistry.

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