Toothaches
A toothache in a child could occur due to multiple possibilities. It could be related to a deep cavity, a possible nerve infection, a loose baby tooth, something caught between their teeth, a canker sore, or trauma.
If your child is complaining of pain, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and inspect the area to make sure nothing is stuck between your child’s teeth. If the toothache persists, contact our office for an evaluation. Do not place aspirin or any type of pain medication on the gum tissue or on the aching tooth because this could burn the gums. You can use children’s over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
Cut Lip Or Cheek
Have your child bite on a piece of gauze for 10-15 minutes and place a cold compress on the injured area. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes contact our office or go to the emergency room immediately.
Bumped Baby Or Permanent Tooth
Contact our office immediately to make sure the tooth hasn’t fractured and the surrounding areas are safe. An x-ray may be taken to make sure the root of the tooth is not broken.
Knocked Out Baby Tooth
This is usually not a serious emergency. A lot of times the baby tooth was already wiggly to begin with. However, if unsure, contact our office for an evaluation and to make sure there aren’t any remaining tooth fragments left behind in the gum tissue. Baby teeth are not re-implanted back into its socket due to the risk of injuring the developing permanent tooth.
It is normal to see a lot of blood in your child’s mouth due to the mixing of blood and saliva together. You can use children’s over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
First, if possible, find the tooth. If found, handle the tooth by its crown (the top portion of the tooth) and rinse it gently with water. DO NOT scrape any debris or remaining tissue of the tooth. If possible, try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold the tooth in place with finger pressure or have your child bite down on a washcloth.
If unable to reinsert, place your child’s tooth in a cup of milk, the child’s saliva, or saline. Immediately contact our office. If you act quickly, it can increase your child’s chances of saving the tooth. You can use children’s over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain.
Chipped Or Fractured Tooth
Contact our office immediately. Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and place a cold compress in the area to reduce swelling. It is important to act quickly to increase the chances of saving the tooth, preventing infection, and reducing pain. If possible, try to locate the broken tooth fragment and place it in a cup of milk and bring it with you to our office.
Swelling
Contact our office immediately. Facial swelling could be related to a dental infection, also known as an abscess, a cut, or facial trauma. Place a cold compress in the area to help reduce the swelling.
Swelling that is around the eye or causing difficulty in breathing could be a serious emergency and it is important to take your child to the emergency room. Antibiotics may be indicated for treatment. You can use children’s over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain.
Fractured Jaw
Place a cold compress on the area and take your child to the emergency room immediately.