what is emergency children's dentistry?
Injuries among children do occur, which is why board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Jeni Kong provides emergency dental care for kids at our friendly practice in Lawrenceville, GA. If your child is a patient of record and he or she is having an urgent dental emergency that cannot wait until our office opens back up, please call our office and listen to the greeting where you can find our emergency number. A few of the common dental injuries we see include broken and chipped teeth, trauma to soft tissues, or a child tooth injury such as a knocked-out tooth. These incidents can result from chewing hard foods, an accident when playing sports, a bad spill, or blunt-force trauma. Your child may or may not feel discomfort, but it is important to have their mouth assessed following an accident to check for any damage. At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we will always make your child's dental emergency a priority by offering immediate care and tips on protecting against future issues.
what are some Types of children's Dental Emergencies?
What is considered a pediatric dental emergency can vary, but quick action is often necessary. Here are a few common scenarios and tips for what to do:
Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. Do not try to clean the tooth or handle it unnecessarily. If the tooth is not dirty or fractured, put it back in the socket and have the child keep it there by biting on a gauze pad or a clean cloth. Do not worry if you do not place it exactly right because it is better to be in the socket than not. If the tooth is dirty, fractured, or if you can’t get it in the socket, put it in a cup with milk or the child’s saliva, and take the child and the tooth to the dentist as quickly and safely as possible. If the child is old enough, he can keep the tooth in his mouth to transport it.
While having a permanent tooth re-implanted within 30 minutes is the best course of treatment, there are many documented cases of successful re-implantation after the tooth has been out for a longer period of time. If, for any reason, you cannot make contact with our office within 30 minutes, or you are out of town, follow the instructions above and go to your nearest emergency room.
If a baby's tooth is knocked out, it should not be re-implanted due to the risk of damage to the developing permanent tooth. Still, visit the dentist right away to ensure there's no additional trauma.
A chipped or fractured tooth
A child tooth injury such as a chipped or broken tooth should be treated as soon as possible. Even small chips can expose the pulp to bacteria, potentially leading to infection. If the broken fragment is available, store it in milk or saliva and bring it with you. In many cases, it can be bonded back to the tooth at the emergency dental visit.
Jaw injury
If your child suffers a blow to the jaw, go to the ER right away. Once stable, visit Dr. Jeni to check for any dental emergencies in pediatric dentistry, such as cracked teeth or misalignment.
Cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek
If your child has cut or bitten his or her tongue, lip, or cheek, there can be bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Here are our recommended actions:
- Apply direct pressure on the bleeding area using a clean cloth.
- If swelling is present, use a cold compress to reduce the pressure and discomfort – sometimes, a popsicle works well for children.
- Take Tylenol® and Motrin® at age and weight appropriate dosages to reduce the swelling and relieve the discomfort.
- Check the area to see if there is a fractured tooth with a fragment possibly embedded in the cheek or tongue. If you need help checking the area, seek urgent dental care for children.
Toothache
If your child complains of a toothache, it is important that you check for the cause. Here are our recommended actions:
- Check the area for a possible source of pain, such as food impaction, an erupting tooth or a “hole” or cavity in a tooth.
- If you think you see a cavity, come see us as soon as possible. Untreated toothaches can turn into abscesses, which are serious pediatric dental emergencies.
- Try brushing and flossing to dislodge any food that may be stuck between the teeth.
- Rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen.
- To treat dental pain, ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Motrin® and Tylenol®) are the primary choices. Orabase® is a good over-the-counter medication for pain related to the gum tissue. You may have heard of applying aspirin directly to gums, but please DO NOT DO THIS, as the aspirin can cause severe burns to the fragile tissue.
Emergency Children's Dentistry Reviews
What Are the Benefits of Emergency Children's Dentistry?
When a pediatric dental emergency occurs, especially with children, the need for immediate attention can be crucial. Emergency children's dentistry provides essential care that addresses urgent dental problems, prevents long-term complications, and ensures a child's comfort during a distressing time. By seeking prompt, professional help, parents can help their children avoid unnecessary pain and protect their developing teeth. Emergency dental care for kids offers a range of benefits at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA including:
- Immediate relief from pain or discomfort
- Prevention of further damage to teeth or gums
- Quick assessment of dental trauma to avoid long-term complications
- Preservation of injured or knocked-out teeth
- Professional guidance on caring for dental injuries at home
- Reduced risk of infection due to timely treatment
- Early detection of underlying dental conditions
Is my child's dental problem an emergency?
We are pleased to treat all types of dental emergencies for children and teenagers, even for non-patients. Your child may need emergency dental care if a restoration or tooth becomes dislodged, they have oral pain, or they suffer injury to the jaw. What is considered a pediatric dental emergency includes anything from a chipped tooth to a child tooth injury affecting the gums or jaw. Some situations may seem minor, and you might be uncertain of how quickly your child should receive treatment (for example, a loose restoration or tooth, an injury that does not result in bleeding or pain, or a chip in a tooth). Knocked-out teeth, on the other hand, require immediate care and ideally should be re-implanted into the jaw within 30 minutes to achieve the best results. Anytime your child has trauma that impacts the gums, lips, teeth, or jaw, it is important to contact our office right away. Dr. Jeni and our caring team will be able to help you determine how soon to come in, offer ways to reduce pain, and tell you how to store your child's tooth or dental restoration. Even smaller injuries may lead to larger problems if not handled as soon as possible; therefore, it is best to err on the side of caution and contact our office right away.
How is a pediatric dental emergency treated?
Each dental emergency is different so Dr. Jeni will thoroughly evaluate your child's situation during your consultation before making a diagnosis. Digital x-rays might be taken to look for hidden issues. After Dr. Jeni understands the degree of your child's condition, she will speak with you about your options and develop a treatment plan. Your child might require one or several appointments to restore the health of their smile. Every child receives personalized care depending on the situation and severity of the dental emergency.
how long is recovery from a child's dental emergency?
According to your child's condition, Dr. Jeni can provide instructions that will help your child recover following their procedure at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry. She may give you a prescription for antibiotics or recommend over-the-counter pain medications, which should be used as directed. She may also recommend that you make an appointment for a different treatment or a follow-up examination. For kids involved in sports, a custom mouth guard may be recommended to prevent future child tooth injury. Your child should continue to follow a good home oral hygiene routine with flossing and brushing to help keep the gums and teeth healthy and strong. During your child's yearly dental examination at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Jeni will continue to monitor their recovery and progress.
does insurance cover pediatric dental emergencies?
Most insurance plans cover emergency dental care for kids, especially when treatment is necessary due to trauma or infection. Our staff will verify your benefits and offer financing options if needed. Don’t delay treatment due to cost — dental emergencies in pediatric dentistry can worsen without prompt care.
Emergency Children's Dentistry FAQ
When is a toothache considered an emergency?
Many people – children, adolescents, and adults alike – wouldn't consider a toothache a dental emergency. However, if your child has dental pain that is keeping them up at night, doesn't seem to go away, or is severely painful, we suggest you contact Apple Tree Pediatric Dentisty. This could be a sign of an infection, which, if left untreated, could impact other areas of the mouth and body.
When should I go to the hospital instead of seeking emergency dental treatment?
If your child has experienced any sort of traumatic injury to the face or head such as a dislocation, wounds that won’t stop bleeding, a broken jaw, or loss of consciousness, you should visit an emergency room with your child instead of calling our Lawrenceville, GA office. Once appropriate medical care has been received, you can schedule a follow-up with the emergency dentist for any dental treatment that they require.
Are there things I can do at home for my child if they cannot see a dentist immediately?
If your child is experiencing severe tooth pain or swelling, use dental floss to dislodge any interlopers and then put a cold compress outside of their mouth. If they lost or broke a tooth, collect the pieces or whole tooth and rinse them in warm water. Don’t touch the root of the tooth while rinsing it. Place the tooth in a container of milk. If their teeth or gums are bleeding, apply pressure with clean, dry gauze until the bleeding stops.
How should parents handle a child's dental emergency at home?
In the event of a dental emergency, parents should remain calm and assess the situation. For a knocked-out tooth, gently rinse it and try reinserting it, holding it in place. For pain or swelling, use a cold compress and provide over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Contact our team at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry immediately.
Can dental emergencies in children be prevented?
While not all emergencies can be prevented, using mouthguards during sports activities, promoting good oral hygiene, and avoiding chewing on hard objects can reduce the risk of dental injuries. Regular dental check-ups with our staff in Lawrenceville, GA can also help identify potential issues early.
How soon should a child see a dentist after a dental emergency?
It is crucial for a child to see a dentist as soon as possible after a dental emergency. Immediate care helps address pain, prevent complications, and ensure the best possible outcome for the child's oral health and well-being.
get Emergency Dental Care for your child
Anytime your child experiences pain, bleeding, or an injury to the teeth, gums, or jaw, call Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry for urgent dental care. Dr. Jeni and our experienced staff will help to manage your child's pain and offer urgent dental care for children as quickly as possible. Fast treatment is the key to preserving your child's oral well-being and preventing potential issues. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our office in Lawrenceville, GA for help.
