Dental emergencies can happen just about anywhere, especially if your child is particularly active. Whether they’re outside riding bikes, wrestling in the grass, or they’re running around the house and slip on your wood floors, a bad fall can easily break a tooth or even knock it out completely. That’s why it helps to always be prepared in case of a dental emergency.
A broken tooth needs to be addressed by your emergency dentist in Ormond Beach right away, but until you arrive, here are the steps to follow.
Comfort Your Child
In the event of a broken tooth, your child will likely be in a lot of pain. The first step should always be to comfort them and help them manage the pain their experiencing. After comforting and helping them calm down, help them rinse their mouth with cold water, followed by applying a cold compress to their face. This will help reduce any swelling that appears.
If your tooth has been knocked out, it’s important that you don’t panic. Panicking will only cloud your judgement and cause you to make decisions you may regret later.
Determine the Damage
After a dental injury occurs, take a moment to assess the damage in your child’s mouth. Ask to look inside their mouth to find out which tooth has broken. If you’re outside, look for the tooth after your child is more stable. Any fragments you find should be held onto for your dentist to examine later. If your child’s baby tooth was knocked out, don’t attempt to place it back in. Instead, keep it in a container to show your dentist.
If a permanent tooth was affected, you can either place it in a container filled with milk, saltwater, saline solution, or saliva to help preserve it, or you can attempt to correctly place it back into your child’s socket. This will help preserve it until you get to your dentist. After the tooth is placed in the socket, give your child a sterile piece of gauze or cloth to bite down on and hold the tooth in place. This is an ideal solution if your dental office is currently open.
Contact Your Dentist in Ormond Beach
If at any point you aren’t sure how to address a dental emergency, contact your emergency dentist in Ormond Beach first. If they’re available, they can give you advice on what to do in that moment. You’ll also be able to schedule an emergency appointment, ideally for the same day.
If they don’t answer, wait for their voicemail system to start. Give a brief description of what occurred and ask to schedule an appointment that way; they’ll be sure to call you back as soon as possible. If you need to see a medical professional right away and your dentist isn’t available, don’t hesitate to visit the emergency room.
You and your child can address dental emergencies calmly and effectively with these steps in mind. To learn more or invest in future protection for your family, schedule an appointment with your dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. Andrew M. Nawrocki will always find time to address urgent cases, provide experienced treatment, and fast relief to you and your family. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call him at (386) 677-1046 or visit his website.