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If you’re a parent, you know that accidents are a part of childhood. Unfortunately, no child is immune from bumps, falls, and scrapes, or the tears that go with them! But even if you know a fair amount of first aid to use for many of these accidents, you might be less confident when it comes to dental emergencies.

As an emergency dentist in Dallas that specializes in caring for children, we’ll cover five of the most common accidents that can occur so you’ll have a better idea of how to handle them. And don’t forget, you can always call us after hours or on weekends if you need to!

Toothache

• First, take a good look inside your child’s mouth to make sure there isn’t something stuck between two teeth that can tenderness.
• If you don’t see anything, you can gently apply a cold compress to the area and give them an over-the-counter pain children’s pain reliever.
• Call to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Knocked Out Tooth

• Start by gently rinsing your child’s mouth with plain water.
• Then use a clean, damp cloth to apply gentle pressure to the area and stop any bleeding.
• Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and gently rinse it in water.
• Don’t rub the tooth or try to clean it with a towel, as you could cause more damage.
• Put the tooth in a glass of cold milk, or water if milk isn’t available. It’s crucial to keep the tooth in liquid so it doesn’t dry out.
• Call your emergency dentist in North Dallas immediately. If it’s very late at night you can also go to the ER if necessary. If your child is seen within an hour, the chances of saving the tooth are much better.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

• First, have your child gently rinse with warm water to wash their mouth of any blood or debris.
• See if you can find the piece of broken tooth and put it in a cup of milk or water to bring to the dentist with you.
• Gently apply a cold compress if there’s any swelling associated with the injury and use over-the-counter children’s pain reliever as needed.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

• If bleeding, gently clean the area with cool water.
• Apply gentle pressure with a clean, cold compress. If necessary, your child can carefully bite down on the compress.
• Call your emergency dentist in far North Dallas as soon as possible. We can help you determine how severe the bite is and how to handle it from there until you can make it in.

Broken Jaw

• If you suspect your child has a broken jaw, they’ll need to be examined at the hospital see if the injury is more extensive.
• In the meantime, apply a cold compress with gentle pressure and try to keep the jaw as stable as possible until your child can be evaluated.
• Once you’re at the hospital, don’t hesitate to give us a call right away!

Life is unpredictable, especially with kids. But with these basic guidelines you can better able to handle what life throws at you!

About the Author
All of the pediatric dentists at Children’s Dental and Orthodontics in Dallas are dedicated to giving your child the best start in life when it comes to their oral health. Combining decades of experience with a caring chairside manner, they make it a priority to be available for those times when life doesn’t go as planned. If you have any questions, they can be reached through their website or at (469) 331-5645.