Dental Emergencies for Kids & What Parents Need to Know
Dental emergencies of any kind can bring a variety of fears and emotions, especially for children. When parents believe that their child, or a child they have been entrusted with, is experiencing a dental emergency of any kind, the clock starts to ensure they get the required treatment to prevent further complications.
Since knowledge is power, our goal in this article is to raise awareness in parents as to what to look out for regarding any type of dental emergency their child may face. In addition, we will look into ways to prevent future dental emergencies all in an effort for parents and guardians to feel prepared, and ready, if a dental emergency in their child were to occur.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Before we unpack the complexity of dental emergencies, we need to first recognize what is considered a dental emergency. Dental emergencies are classified as situations where there is either a severe injury to a tooth leading to persistent bleeding, pain, and sometimes broken facial bones. If a situation like this arises, it is crucial to contact your local dentist as soon as possible. When dental emergencies arise the sooner they are met with the right care, the better!
Signs Parents Need to Look for With Dental Emergencies
There are signs and symptoms to look out for if you believe your child is having a dental issue that warrants an emergency visit to your local dentists. Some of the most common types of dental emergencies in children include:
Displaced Tooth
Whether it be from a sports injury or playground fall, if your child faces a knocked out tooth, you will definitely want to monitor symptoms and contact your local dental provider. If possible, try to locate the displaced tooth, being mindful of not touching the root, and place it in a container with either milk or saliva to protect the “life” of the tooth. From then, you will want to visit your dental office as soon as possible. Your dentist will be able to determine if the tooth was a baby tooth or permanent tooth. If it is a baby tooth, your dentist will most likely wait for the permanent tooth to grow in. But, if it is an adult, or permanent tooth, then your dentist will take the next steps to restore your tooth and gum.
If a tooth is displaced and actions are not taken quickly to restore the displaced tooth to its original position, then your child could face long term issues from a displaced tooth. Some of these issues can range from bone loss, gap in smile where missing tooth was, or gum issues.
A skilled dentist will be able to determine the correct steps to ensure proper treatment is done for any displaced tooth or teeth with your child.
Broken Tooth
On the other hand, there can be an injury to the face that may not always result in a displaced tooth. Instead, it can result in a broken or cracked tooth that will still require dental attention. A crack in a tooth can be as obvious as a visual separation in the tooth or as small as a hairline. This could even affect the tooth’s root leading to a root fracture.
Usually when a tooth is broken, symptoms can look like pain when eating, sensitivity to food, swelling by the tooth, and a toothache. If your child complains of these symptoms, especially after a facial injury, it would be beneficial to check in with your dentist.
If a broken or fractured tooth is not treated quickly and properly it can lead to bacteria entering and creating a tooth abscess and further issues with your jawbone.
Chronic Toothache
If your child is experiencing chronic tooth pain or a prolonged period of time, then it may be wise to visit your dentist for further evaluation. Toothaches can range from a cavity, an infection of the gums, to even an injury. If your child finds that pain does not go away over time, and can only be managed with a pain reliever, it will be important to check with your dentist for any hidden issue.
Is a Black Tooth an Emergency?
A black tooth in a child’s smile is rather common and does not always mean a dental emergency, but can signal a few things. Sometimes a tooth can appear black due to staining or tartar build up without any pain or interference. But, sometimes a black tooth is a result of a cavity, tooth decay and damage. If you notice a black tooth, monitor your child for any symptoms that can be associated from a cavity or decay. If your child has a chronic toothache, swelling, sensitivity to food, and a black tooth, then it would be considered a chronic dental emergency.
Is a Cavity a Dental Emergency?
Cavities are normal and rather common in children and even adults! They do not always mean a dental emergency, but if it is accompanied with severe pain, swelling, or pus around the tooth, then this would be considered a dental emergency.
What is Not a Dental Emergency?
Some dental issues that are not considered an emergency, but can still be important to monitor with your child, include:
- Minor or dull tooth pain that goes away
- A loose tooth
- Missing filling
- Food stuck between teeth, but easily removed by flossing
- Minor cavity with no discomfort
- Slight gum bleeding
While these conditions are still important to monitor, they do not always warrant an emergency visit to your dentist. That main symptom to focus on is if there are accompanying symptoms with these dental issues like chronic pain, swelling, bleeding, injury to the face, or sensitivity. If not, it is encouraged to continue to monitor these issues with your child, and share them with your dentist at your next scheduled visit.
What is the Primary Cause of Dental Emergencies?
Kids are active, whether it be on the playground, playing with neighborhood children, or being involved in sports. With this level of activity, there is a risk of injury, from falls to sport related impacts. These are some of the primary causes for dental emergencies. Injuries such as these can lead to displaced teeth, cracked teeth, or chipped teeth. With severe face injuries, dental emergencies are most often associated with pain that signals there is a bigger issue at hand that a dentist should evaluate.
In addition to injuries being one of the primary causes of dental emergencies, untreated cavities, gum infections, and even wisdom teeth complications can cause dental emergencies.
Why Should You Deal With a Dental Emergency Quickly?
When you become aware of a severe dental problem, from a chronic toothache to facial injury, it is vital to contact your dental provider quickly to prevent any future complications.
Long Term Effects of Dental Emergencies
If a dental emergency in a child is left untreated, it can lead to long term effects such as:
- Infection
- Tooth Loss
- Gum issues
It is best to visit your local dentist when a dental emergency occurs as it can help you to save time and money in the long run by helping to prevent further dental issues.
Ways to Prevent Future Dental Emergencies
Now that you have an idea of what dental emergencies look like, you may be curious as to how you, as a parent, can help prevent possible dental emergencies. While life happens, and as parents we may be unable to protect our children from as much as we’d like, we can still make an effort to practice healthy dental practices. Some practical ways to prevent future dental emergencies include:
Cultivate Healthy Dental Habits
Instill healthy dental habits with your child by encouraging them to brush their teeth daily. You could make this a routine with you and your child both brushing your teeth before bed, and in the morning! You can add some fun to it by allowing your child to pick out their toothbrush, and toothpaste, so that they have some ownership in their dental care. You can even share with your child the importance of dental hygiene and the importance of having healthy teeth long term.
Schedule Dentist Appointments
Besides cultivating healthy dental habits, be sure to schedule regular visits to your local dentist. Checking in with your dentist yearly is helpful, as they will be able to provide a full evaluation of your child’s teeth to ensure everything is right as it should be. A dentist will also be helped to see or notice teeth issues that may not be visible to the eye, or not problematic just yet. When you visit your dentist office with your child, you’re also instilling how vital checking in with your dentist for cleanings and checkups is!
Incorporate a Vitamin Dense Diet
While we know sweets and candies are what can cause cavities, there are foods that can help protect the health and integrity of your child’s teeth. You will want to focus on vitamins and minerals that can keep your child’s teeth strong and in top shape. Some foods to focus on when wanting a healthy smile include:
- Vitamin D: fish, figs, bananas
- Vitamin K: blackberries, blueberries, leafy greens
- Calcium: Cheese, yogurt, oranges
- Vitamin A: Watermelon, carrots, eggs
Other vitamins to look out for to strengthen teeth include, Vitamin C, B, Iron, and Potassium.
Dental Emergencies and Snodgrass King Dental in Nashville, TN
Dental emergencies in children can happen, and when they do it can feel scary. The main things to focus on is staying calm, and contacting your child’s dental provider. If you have yet to find a skilled and trusted dentist, then connect with us as Snodgrass-King Dental. With offices throughout the greater Nashville area, we offer pediatric and adult dental services, as well as orthodontics.
At Snodgrass-King Dental, we are committed to creating healthy and strong smiles in a relaxed and fun filled environment. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to meeting you!
