Most people know when it’s time to call their doctor for help during a medical emergency. But do you know when to call your dentist? It’s hard to know what’s considered a dental emergency. Fortunately, Stellar Kids Dentistry has the training and experience to diagnose and treat dental emergencies at their offices in Mukilteo, Everett, and Mill Creek, Washington.
What is a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies are injuries or severe dental problems that can’t wait for a regular appointment. If your child has a dental emergency, seeking help right away is essential for preserving their teeth and gums.
How do I know if my child has a dental emergency?
If your child has any of the following dental emergency symptoms, call Stellar Kids Dentistry right away:
- Severe tooth pain
- Swollen gums
- Facial swelling
- Fever
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Broken tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Loose adult teeth
- Soft tissue injuries
Calling a professional dentist in the event of an emergency is the best step you can take to make sure your child’s teeth and gums stay intact.
What is considered a dental emergency?
Nobody can predict a dental emergency, but at Stellar Kids Dentistry, your child is in good hands. There are many types of emergencies, but the most common are:
Broken tooth
The first step in caring for a broken tooth is gently rinsing the area with warm water to prevent infection. If possible, try to find the broken tooth fragments and store them in a cup of milk. Call our office right away and apply a cold compress to relieve pain and inflammation.
Knocked-out tooth
A knocked-out baby tooth typically doesn’t require treatment. You shouldn’t try to replace the tooth, as doing so can damage the incoming permanent tooth. If your child has a knocked-out permanent tooth, pick up the lost tooth from the crown and gently reinsert it into the socket with clean gauze.
Swelling can prevent an adult tooth from reinserting comfortably. If you can’t put the knocked-out tooth back into the socket, store it in a cup of milk.
Bitten tongue or soft tissues
Soft tissue injuries, such as a badly bitten tongue or inner cheek, sometimes require stitches. To stop the bleeding until you can visit our office, apply firm pressure to the injury with a clean cloth or gauze. If the bleeding still doesn’t stop, head to the emergency room right away.
Broken jaw
If you think your child has a broken jaw, try to tie their mouth closed to prevent further injury and go straight to the emergency room.
Severe toothache
Severe tooth pain sometimes indicates extreme tooth decay or a tooth infection. You should rinse your child’s mouth out with salt water to remove any trapped debris from in between their teeth. If that doesn’t relieve their pain, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling before your visit.
Think your child has a dental emergency? If so, call Stellar Kids Dentistry or book an appointment online now!