Pediatric Emergencies Any emergency involving your child can be scary, but dental emergencies can be especially nerve-wracking. At Smile Kids! Pediatric Dentistry we know how frightening it can be and want you to know that we’re with you every step of the way to make sure that your child receives the best possible care. Here is a quick cheat sheet for some common dental emergencies that kids run into and how we can help if they come up.Severe ToothacheChildren of all ages can get toothaches and painful pressure in their gums or jaws. If the pain does not last very long - less than half an hour - then it’s likely nothing to worry about. But if your child complains of the pain persisting, it’s time to give us a call so we can administer X-rays and an in-depth exam to see what’s going on. Knocked-Out ToothWhile your first thought might be to panic at the sight of your child’s missing tooth, stay calm to avoid agitating them further. Whether it’s a baby tooth or permanent tooth call us immediately so we can x-ray your child to ensure that the entire tooth fell out. In the case of baby teeth do NOT try and replant it, only permanent teeth can be replanted! Cracked ToothA cracked tooth may not seem as severe as a knocked-out tooth, but it’s vital you call us right away. Infection can set in rapidly and without immediate medical attention it’s possible that more extensive dental procedures might be necessary if the nerve dies. Once your child is safe with our excellent oral technicians, we can perform x-rays to determine the extent of the fracture. Dental ConcussionSometimes a tooth gets bumped, but it is not knocked-out or cracked. This is what is called a dental concussion, and it is more common in toddlers. You can frequently diagnose a concussion yourself based on the discoloration of the tooth. While it may look bad, this is only an emergency if the tooth starts to turn dark or black. This means that the tooth is dying, and a stronger intervention might be necessary. Avoiding EmergenciesAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and there are plenty of things you can do to avoid a dental emergency. Always use mouthguards when playing contact sports, make sure any hard edges in your home are protected, and do not let your child chew on hard foods like ice or popcorn kernels. As always though, one of the best things you can do is bring your child in for their ADA-recommended routine exams and cleanings. We don’t just do a quick check-up, but make sure that you and your child are both well-equipped to handle any questions or emergencies as they come up. Do Not Wait for an Emergency!Instead of waiting for something serious to happen be proactive about your child’s dental health. Here at Smile Kids! Pediatric Dentistry we want to help you get ahead of the game and give your child the best protection possible, so call us now at (276) 663-0065! |
 Phone(276) 663-0065 HoursMon: 9:30am - 4pm Tues: 9:30am - 4pm Wed: 9:30am - 4pm Thurs: 9:30am - 4pm Friday: 9:30am - 4pm Saturday: We are open one Saturday a month by appointment. We are closed for federal Holidays. |
