Here in Sunny California it’s hard to think that “winter tooth trauma” is common, but here’s a list of dental emergencies we see throughout December (no, can’t make some of these up):
Here are some dental emergency tips:
“I bit my lip!!!”
If your child has bitten a lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, first, clean the bite gently with water and next, press a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth) firmly against the area. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is. If your child has any bleeding disorders or serious medical history, please go to your nearest emergency room.
“Something is stuck between my teeth!”
If your child has something caught between his or her teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Please don’t use a toothpick or “store bought dental instrument.” If you are unable to dislodge the item with dental floss, give us a call.
Chipped Teeth: From Coffee Tables To Monkey Bars
If your child has chipped or broken a piece off of a tooth, have him or her rinse the mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Give us a call.
The Tooth Has Been Knocked Out!
If your child’s tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), and only touch the crown (the upper part) of the tooth. If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth.
If you can’t return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or go to the hospital. If you act quickly, it’s possible to save a permanent, or adult tooth.
If you can’t find the tooth, please call us as well.
Unfortunately, primary (“baby”) teeth are generally not re-implanted. If one of your child’s primary teeth has been knocked out, you will want to schedule a visit to our practice as soon as possible so your dentist can ensure there are no fragments of tooth remaining.
“Ow, my tooth hurts!”
If your child complains of a toothache, rinse the mouth with warm water and inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, because this can damage the gums. Schedule an appointment immediately.
Broken Jaw
If you know or suspect your child has sustained a broken jaw go to the hospital immediately. In many cases a broken jaw is the result of a blow to the head. Severe blows to the head can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Hugs and High Fives,
Team Pediatric Dental Center (PDC)