Dental emergencies are stressful, even more so when your child is experiencing dental pain or trauma! As parents, we want to protect our children from pain, and tooth emergencies can feel overwhelming. But you can rest assured that when you have a trusted dental team to work with, your child will be in good hands.
It also helps when you know what to do. So, today, we'll help parents by outlining what they can do during specific emergencies and when to contact their children's emergency dentist in Barrie for prompt care.
Dental Emergencies 101: What You Can Do to Help Your Child
Here are some common emergency situations children find themselves in, what parents should do, and when to contact your dentist.
- Knocked-out permanent tooth — Contact your dentist immediately. Time is of the essence in this case. The quicker we can treat a knocked-out tooth, the better the chances are that we can save it. Place it back into its socket or use milk or saliva to keep it moist while transporting it to the dentist.
- Chipped or fractured tooth — A broken or chipped tooth may need repair to avoid further damage. Call your dentist for an assessment over the phone. Meanwhile, gather the pieces of the tooth, if possible. You can provide over-the-counter medication, like Ibuprofen, if your child is experiencing discomfort.
- Soft tissue injuries — Apply pressure with gauze or a cold compress to help stop bleeding. A warm saltwater rinse can also be soothing for injuries to soft tissues. Contact your dentist for an assessment to determine if your child needs immediate attention.
- Toothaches and abscesses — If your child is experiencing a constant and severe toothache, it's likely an indication of an infection. If the tooth is infected, your child may also have a fever, pain or tenderness when chewing, or temperature sensitivity. Don't delay calling your dentist for treatment, as a tooth infection doesn't resolve on its own and could result in further damage and discomfort.
At Park Place Dental, we encourage our patients to contact our dental office before heading to a hospital emergency room. Hospitals are not well-equipped for children's emergency dentistry or to treat teeth, and you could save valuable time and money by contacting your dentist first. If your child experiences jaw or facial trauma from a severe accident, the hospital may be a better choice, but our team can advise you when you call for an assessment over the phone.
Prevention and Preparedness
Did you know that some dental emergencies can be avoided? When you're proactive about protecting your child's health with consistent dental visits for teeth cleanings and checkups every six months, we can spot potential problems like tooth decay before they become more significant. When you treat tooth decay early on, you can typically handle it with a simple procedure like a filling. We offer tooth-coloured fillings that blend seamlessly with your child's tooth and don't diminish their sweet smile.
If tooth decay is ignored or undiagnosed, it moves further into the tooth until it reaches the pulp. This is when it can cause a painful infection that could keep your child from school and their normal activities.
Other Tips for Protecting Your Child's Smile
Besides consistent preventive dental checkups, there are other steps you can take to protect your child's smile.
- Effective home care routine — Help your child develop good home care habits by teaching them proper brushing and flossing techniques, providing them with the right tools (toothbrush and floss), and assisting them until around age eight.
- Dental sealants — Your children's dentist in Barrie may recommend dental sealants to protect your child's smile from tooth decay and cavities. Sealants are a thin plastic coating that covers the chewing surface of your child's molars to protect them from the acids and bacteria that cause decay.
- Fluoride — Fluoride treatments and fluoridated toothpaste help to protect against tooth decay and remineralize teeth that have been affected by the acids and bacteria that cause cavities.
- Mouthguards — Does your child play sports? A custom protective mouthguard can protect their teeth and mouth from injuries often associated with sports. Did you know sports injuries are responsible for around 40 percent of dental emergencies?
Avoiding sugary foods and beverages can help protect your child's teeth from decay and cavities. Increasing their intake of fruits and vegetables is good for their bodies and smiles! Fruits and veggies neutralize the acids in the mouth that cause tooth decay and increase saliva flow, which is a natural tooth protectant.
Contact Park Place Dental in Barrie
Are you looking for children's dentistry in Barrie, ON? Look no further than Park Place Dental! We love caring for children and make it simple for busy families to complete their dental care in one convenient location. Call our team at (705) 728-9922 to schedule an appointment.
