If you have children, you know that parenting is a series of highs and lows. Along with all of the fun and joy comes a fair bit of worry! Whether it’s chipping a tooth on a piece of hard candy, a bad fall, or a sports injury, the occasional accident is a normal part of childhood. Of course, that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with them when they occur!
As a pediatric dentist in Naperville, we’ve treated countless children in emergency situations and we know how alarming it can be. We thought we’d write a blog about five of the most common injuries we see and how you can handle them. Keep reading to learn more!
Knocked Out Tooth
Whether your child has knocked out a baby tooth or a permanent one, call us right away to schedule an appointment and get any specific instructions that may apply.
Particularly if it’s a permanent tooth, time is of the essence! Being seen within one hour will give us the best chance of saving it.
Here’s what you can do immediately after the injury:
- Being careful not to touch the tooth by the root, gently rinse it off with water. Don’t use anything to scrub the tooth.
- If your child is older, you can gently put the tooth back in its socket, facing the right way. For younger children, simply put the tooth in a cup of milk (or water in a pinch) so that they don’t accidentally swallow it. It’s crucial that the tooth stays moist.
- Gently apply a cold, damp compress to the outside of the lip or cheek until you can be seen.
Jaw Injuries
If your child has a jaw injury, go the nearest emergency room. After they’ve been stabilized, you can schedule an evaluation and possible dental treatment.
Tooth Pushed Into the Jawbone
If your child’s tooth has been pushed into the jawbone due to a fall or some other type of blunt force, start by rinsing their mouth out with cold water.
Next, you can gently apply a cloth-covered ice pack for 20 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling, as well as give them an over-the-counter children’s pain reliever.
Call an emergency dentist in Naperville to schedule an appointment so we can evaluate the situation and recommend appropriate treatment.
Toothache
There are several potential causes of a toothache, including cavities, food wedged between the teeth, or fractures.
If there appears to be food stuck, use a clean finger or floss to remove it. If you can’t see anything and the pain persists, apply a cold compress to the area and call us right away to schedule an appointment.
Broken Tooth
If your child has broken a tooth, start by rinsing their mouth out with warm water. If possible, pick up the broken piece of the tooth and place it in a cup of milk, or water if milk isn’t available.
Use a cold compress and children’s pain reliever as needed for pain, and call us right away to schedule an appointment.
About the Author
Dr. Asim Awan is passionate about working with kids. In addition to his private practice, he is a staff member at Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital where he performs dental surgery on pediatric patients. With years of experience and a gentle chairside manner, he’s able to put even the most frazzled parents and children at ease, no matter the situation. If you have any questions, he can be reached via his website or at (630) 995-3393.