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Emergency Dental Care for Kids in Brewster
Call us today at (845) 764-9572 if your child has a toothache, chipped tooth, or a mouth injury that needs fast treatment.
If you are experiencing a MEDICAL emergency, please dial 911.
Accidents happen. That’s why our pediatric dentists in Brewster, NY are ready to help if your child has a dental emergency.
Mouth injuries in children are very common. Kids may fall down on the playground, trip on the stairs, or get hit by a ball while playing sports. The sharp edge of a potato chip can scrape the inside of a child’s mouth, or a piece of popcorn can get stuck between the tooth and gums leading to discomfort and infection. Some children even get sunburned on their lips, which can cause swelling and discomfort.
Common Dental Emergencies in Children
Some mouth injuries in children are minor, such as a split lip. Others are more serious and require the attention of your child’s dentist. Parents should call our pediatric dental office in Brewster if the:
- child knocks a tooth loose
- child knocks a tooth out
- child chips a tooth
- child breaks a tooth
- child may require stitches for a cut on the mouth
- child has a toothache
- child’s lips swell
- child’s gums are red, swollen, or painful
The most common dental emergency in children is pain from tooth decay. If a cavity spreads from the enamel of the tooth to the nerve center of the tooth, it can cause severe pain. In some cases, it can even lead to symptoms including pus, red and swollen gums, and other signs of infection. Our pediatric dentist will determine the best course of treatment based on several factors including the amount of damage caused by the dental decay and whether it’s in a baby tooth or a permanent tooth.
Tips for Treating Mild Mouth Injuries in Children
Clean the injury.
If the child has a split lip from a fall, rinse it with warm combination of water and table salt to flush out any dirt and debris.
Stop the bleeding.
Use a clean, damp cloth to apply gentle pressure to the injured area for up to 10 minutes.
Apply ice.
Applying an ice pack or giving an older child a popsicle to suck will help numb the injured area and reduce swelling.
See a dentist if needed.
If you have any questions about the seriousness of the accident, call our pediatric dentists in Brewster to schedule an appointment for an emergency dental exam for your child.
Monitor for healing.
A bit lip or mouth cut usually takes about a week to heal. During this time, the child should avoid anything salty or acidic because it may make the mouth injury sting. The child should also swish with water after eating to help wash away food particles that could irritate the area. If the mouth injury has not healed in 10 days, call your pediatric dentist.
What to do if a Child’s Tooth is Knocked Out
If a child’s baby tooth is knocked out, it will usually not be replaced. Call our pediatric dental office and come in for an evaluation to see if the child needs a space maintainer to keep the space open until the new permanent tooth comes in.
If a child’s permanent tooth is knocked out, then the parent or caregiver needs to act quickly if there’s any hope to replant the tooth in the child’s mouth. Within five minutes:
- Hold the tooth by the crown (the white top of the tooth) and rinse the root with clean water. Do not scrape or scrub the root.
- Insert the tooth back into the hole, with the flat tooth surface facing forward.
- Hold the tooth in place for five minutes to set the tooth into position. Then apply gentle pressure for another 5 minutes, holding the tooth in place with a wet piece of paper towel or gauze.
- Call your pediatric dentist for a thorough evaluation and to find out if the child needs a tetanus shot.
If the child lost consciousness from the head injury, it’s recommended you call your pediatrician’s office or go to a hospital for evaluation.
What to do if a Child’s Tooth is Knocked Loose or Broken
If a child’s tooth is knocked loose or severely broken, the child requires urgent treatment from an emergency pediatric dentist. It’s best to see a dentist within six hours of the injury for evaluation and treatment.
Here are the steps for treating a child that had a tooth moved out of position:
- Rinse the area with clean water. If there’s a cut outside the mouth, gently wash with soap and water.
- Apply pressure with gauze or a clean cloth for 10 minutes to control any bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop, call the dentist or go to the emergency room.
- See a dentist or oral surgeon within six hours for evaluation.
- Get a tetanus shot if that’s recommended by a dentist or doctor.
What to do if a Child’s Tooth is Chipped or Fractured
Whether it’s a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, a chipped or fractured tooth can be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If the damage reaches the nerve center, that sensitivity can quickly turn to pain.
Our pediatric dentists in Brewster, NY will evaluate the tooth to determine the best course of treatment. If you have the section of the tooth that chipped or broke off, please bring that with you to the appointment. The dentist may be able to attach it with special bonding materials.
Otherwise, our pediatric dentists can reconstruct the missing section or cap it the tooth with a crown. The key is to treat the problem area quickly – within 12 hours if possible – to prevent any further problems from developing.
Time Matters When Providing Emergency Dental Care to Children
If a child’s tooth is cracked, loosened, knocked out, or damaged in any other way, it’s vital to act quickly by calling your child’s pediatric dentist. If the child’s mouth injury is not treated quickly, the area could become infected, leading to swelling, inflammation, and pain. If the tooth is out of alignment – or missing entirely – then the child’s bite will be affected, and that could lead to problems with eating and speaking.
If fast action is not taken to address a child’s dental emergency, then the damage could spread to the root of the tooth and the child may need a root canal and crown to save the tooth. Typically speaking, it’s cheaper to stabilize the tooth immediately than it is to get a root canal and restorative work. If one waits too long, then even a root canal may not be able to save the tooth. If that happens, the tooth will need to be extracted and the space filled with a dental bridge or dental implant.
The first step is to call Kids Family Dental in Brewster to schedule an emergency dental appointment for your child. We look forward to helping you.
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