When Should You Take Your Child to See an Emergency Dentist?
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
An oral emergency is any situation that requires immediate dental care to save a tooth, stop bleeding, or relieve severe pain. If you are experiencing an emergency, you must see a dentist as soon as possible. Some common dental emergencies include:
- Toothaches: A toothache is usually the result of an infection, trauma, or cracks, so it is crucial to visit a dentist immediately.
- Knocked out tooth: If you have knocked out a tooth, it is important to try to find the tooth and carry it with you to the dentist for kids in Greenwood. If the tooth is completely knocked out, it is advisable to push it back to the socket using the crown. This, however, does not apply to the primary teeth.
- Broken tooth: A broken tooth can be extremely painful, so it is important to seek dental care immediately. Broken teeth can occur if you have weak teeth and bite hard objects. Fractured teeth can cause pain and affect the supporting tissues.
- Bleeding: If you are bleeding from the mouth, you must see a dentist as soon as possible. Gum bleeding may be due to gum infection and can be serious. You must visit a Kid’s dentist in Greenwood if you notice persistent gum bleeding. Early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease will stop the spread of the infection and protect the supporting bone.
Emergency pediatric dentists in Greenwood will be able to provide you with the care you need to relieve your pain and swelling.
What Should You Do When A Dental Emergency Occurs?
If you or your child is experiencing a dental emergency, it is important to seek emergency dental care immediately. Dr. Sal Livreri will be able to provide you with the care you need to relieve your pain and swelling.
You should also:
- Rinse the mouth with warm water
- Apply n ice pack on the cheek to ease swelling
- Avoid taking pain relievers unless advised by the dentist. Some pain relievers can worsen bleeding.
- Avoid eating hard or chewy foods.
- Visit an emergency dentist near you immediately, preferably within an hour after the oral injury occurs. The dentist will examine your teeth and save your teeth from further damage.
What Is Not a Dental Emergency?
There are some dental problems that, while they may be painful, are not considered emergencies. These include:
- A chipped tooth, filling, or composite: Unless the chip is severe, this is not considered a dental emergency. But, it is advisable to visit a pediatric dental office in Greenwood for assistance. In the meantime, do not bite down on the chipped tooth to avoid damaging it further. If your tooth’s edge is rough, you may apply a tiny amount of dental wax to the region until you visit with us.
- A dull toothache: A toothache is usually the result of a cavity or infection. However, it can also be because of food stuck between the gums, which is not considered a dental emergency. You can floss your child’s teeth and rinse the mouth to remove the food particles.
- Sensitive teeth: It is not a dental emergency if your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. You can try using desensitizing toothpaste to help with the discomfort.
Does a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth Count as a Dental Emergency?
A knocked-out baby tooth is not a dental emergency. However, you should still bring your child to the dentist as soon as possible so that the dentist can check for any damage to the underlying adult tooth. Your child may need treatment to prevent further damage if the adult tooth is damaged.
Emergency Dentist at Kid’s First Dental
At our clinic, we provide immediate emergency dental care for children. Please call us, and we’ll be happy to assist you in any way possible. We can address a variety of oral emergencies and help your kid get rid of his or her unhealthy smile once more.