Trauma
If your child has had some form of trauma to the head, first check for any life threatening injuries and contact necessary medical personnel. If it is a dental emergency, examine your child’s gums and lips for any cuts. Most injuries inside the mouth do not require sutures and the soft tissues in this area heal remarkably fast. Inspect the teeth for any changes in position, signs of mobility, chipping, or bleeding from within the tooth. If a fragment of the tooth has been knocked off, save it in milk or in saline solution to help with the overall success of repairing the tooth. If a baby tooth is knocked completely out of the mouth, the best treatment for your child is not to put the tooth back in. However, permanent teeth can reattach to the jaws if quickly rinsed clean and replanted. Obviously, if there are any concerns following any trauma, call our office. For after hours emergencies, if you are a patient of record at Kids Teeth, the telephone number is: 843-860-4067.
Other common Emergencies and Questions:
Tooth Ache:
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth meticulously. Using warm salt water, rinse the mouth to displace any food trapped between teeth. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you use aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum. In the event of facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. For temporary pain relief, acetaminophen is recommended. See a dentist as soon as possible.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Ice can be applied to any bruised areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, call the office or go to an emergency room.
Broken Braces and Wires
Remove a broken appliance only if it comes out easily. If it is lodged or painful to remove, cover any protruding edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. DO NOT REMOVE any wire caught in the gums, cheek or tongue; see a dentist immediately. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that cause no discomfort.
Broken Tooth
Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury. Recover any broken tooth fragments. Get immediate dental attention.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root end. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk, saline solution, water. Because time is essential, see a dentist immediately.
Other Emergency Conditions:
Possible Broken Jaw
In the event of jaw injury, tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief. Go immediately to an emergency room.
Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold a piece of gauze and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes; if bleeding continues, see a dentist.
Cold or Canker Sores
Over-the-counter medications will usually provide temporary relief. If sores persist, visit your dentist.
Commonly asked questions:
“My child’s tooth is changing color. Is that bad?” Not necessarily. The tooth contains nerves and blood vessels inside it. In some cases, the tooth may change color following a traumatic event. This may only be a sign of “bruising” of the tooth. However, this should be evaluated by a dentist because this could also indicate nerve damage which needs to be addressed. Your child’s dentist will discuss different treatment options for this condition should it arise. If a permanent tooth shows any signs of discomfort, mobility, or color change following trauma, contact the dentist right away.
“My child has ulcers all over their mouth and is running a fever.” The first exposure to the virus which also causes cold sores or fever blisters can cause an outbreak of ulcers located all over the gums. Although this is a common and non-life threatening infection; these lesions can be very uncomfortable. The best treatment is to keep your child well fed and hydrated despite the pain. Maintaining a clean mouth will promote faster healing. There are some over the counter remedies and rinses that can help decrease the discomfort.
