Dental emergencies are common and never planned. It is extremely important to have an established dental home so you know where to turn if your child does have a dental emergency. Dr. Patterson has had specialized training for these situations. If your child has a dental emergency call Epic Dentistry for Kids and rest assured that your child is in good care.
What are common causes of tooth pain?
First, it is important to recognize if your child has tooth pain. Young children and those with special needs may not know how to communicate that something is wrong. Common signs of oral pain include grabbing at the mouth, refusal to eat, wincing or drawing away while brushing, and swelling around the mouth. Please be aware of these signs and schedule an evaluation if you suspect anything is wrong. Common causes of tooth pain can be infection, fractured teeth, decay, teething, and trauma.
What do I do if my child’s tooth gets knocked out?
Trauma is common for children. Occasionally a child will knock a tooth out. Managing this type of injury is very important. First, be careful not to panic; staying calm will help your child. Second, assess your child to see if there is any trauma that could be life-threatening, such as a concussion. If you suspect life-threatening injuries, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room/urgent care. If your child does not need emergency room attention, find the tooth. If it is a baby tooth, put the tooth in a glass of milk and see the dentist immediately. If it is an adult tooth, place it back in the tooth socket where it was before the accident and see the dentist immediately. If the tooth is covered in dirt or other debris, rinse it with milk and place it back in the socket. DO NOT WASH THE TOOTH WITH TAP WATER AND DO NOT SCRUB THE TOOTH. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place it in milk and see the dentist immediately. If you don’t have access to milk, have your child spit into a cup and place the tooth in the saliva. It does not take much. The tooth just needs to be covered.
Can general anesthesia be used for non-emergency procedures?
Yes! General anesthesia is often used to treat children with dental problems. It is normal to be a little nervous about your child having dental work while they are “asleep,” but rest assured that often doing dental work under general anesthesia is the safest method to treat a child. This method allows for a very controlled environment and protects children that are unable to cooperate from having a psychologically traumatic dental experience. General anesthesia is perfect for a patient who has extensive dental needs and cannot be treated safely while they are awake. Speak with your child’s pediatric dentist to discuss if this option is a good one for your child.
