DENTAL EMERGENCIES

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Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing your child's tooth.  Here are some tips to help you cope quickly and calmly with a dental emergency.

BABY TOOTH:  IF SOMETHING HAPPENDS TO ANY OF A CHILD'S PRIMARY OR BABY TEETH, YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DENTIST AS SOON AS YOU CAN.  IF A TOOTH IS COMPLETELY OUT, DO NOT TRY TO INSERT IT BACK IN THE SOCKET.  ALTHOUGH IT IS NOMRAL FOR CHILDREN TO LOSE PRIMARY TEETH, AN ACCIDENT THAT DAMAGES A PRIMARY TOOTH COULD ALSO HARM THE PERMANENT "ADULT" TOOTH  UINDERNEATH.

ADULT TOOTH:   A PERMANENT TOOTH SHOULD BE IMPLATNED BACK IN THE MOUTH.  HOLD THE TOOTH BY THE CROWN, AND IF IT IS DIRTY, RINSE THE ROOT WITH WATER.  DO NOT SCRUB THE TOOTH OR REMOVE ANY ATTACHED BITS OF TISSUE.  IF POSSIBLE, GENTLY INSERT AND HOLD THE TOOTH IN ITS SOCKET WTH A CLEAN WASH CLOTH OR GAUZE.  IF THIS ISN'T POSSIBLE, OR IF THE CHILD CANNOT SAFELY HOLD THE TOOTH IN HIS OR HER MOUTH, PUT THE TOOTH IN A CONTAINER WITH MILK, SALIVA, OR WATER.  TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DENTIST AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN. DON'T FORGET TO BRING THE TOOTH AND ANY TOOTH PIECES YOU CAN FIND. MINUTES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE ON SURVIVAL OF THE TOOTH.

RINSE THE MOUTH WITH WARM WATER TO KEEP THE AREA CLEAN.  PUT COLD COMPRESSES ON THE FACE TO REDUCE SWELLING.  GO TO THE DENTIST RIGHT AWAY.  IF YOU CAN FIND THE BROKEN TOOTH FRAGMENT, BRING IT WITH YOU TO THE DENTIST.  WRAP THE TOOTH PIECE IN SOME WET GAUZE OR WET TOWEL IF POSSIBLE.

CLEAN THE AREA GENTLY WITH A CLOTH AND PLACE COLD COMPRESSES ON THE AREA TO KEEP SWELLING DOWN.  IF THERE IS A LOT OF BLEEDING OR IF IT DOESN'T STOP AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, TAKE YOUR CHILD TO A  DENTIST OR AN EMERGENCY CENTER. 

GENTLY TRY TO REMOVE THE OBJECT WITH DENTAL FLOSS.  IF THAT DOES NOT WORK, GO TO THE DENTIST.  DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THE OBJECT WITH A SHARP OR POINTED INSTRUMENT.

RINSE THE MOUTH WITH WARM WATER TO CLEAN IT OUT.  GIVE YOUR CHILD WHAT YOU WOULD  NORMALLY GIVE HIM OR HER FOR PAIN.  DO NOT PUT ASPIRIN ON THE ACHING TOOTH OR GUM TISSUE.  TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DENTIST AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

APPLY COLD COMPRESSES (LIKE AN ICE PACK OR WASHCLOTH WITH ICE WRAPPED INSIDE) TO CONTROL SWELLING.  TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DENTIST OR AN EMERGECY CENTER RIGHT AWAY.

American Dental Association