5 Emergency Dental Care Tips for Your Child
No parent wants to see their child in pain, but sometimes dental emergencies happen. Whether your child has a toothache, a chipped tooth, or something else, it’s important to know how to handle the situation. That’s why we’ve put together this list of five emergency dental care tips for parents.
We know that dealing with a dental emergency can be stressful, but we hope this blog post will help you feel more prepared if and when such an event happens. From knowing when to see a dentist to having the right at-home supplies on hand, these five tips will help you navigate any dental emergency like a pro. So without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Know When To See a Dentist vs. When You Can Handle the Situation at Home
The first step in being prepared for a dental emergency is knowing when to see a dentist and when you can handle the situation at home. If your child is experiencing severe pain, has bleeding that won’t stop, or has suffered an injury to their teeth or mouth, then you’ll need to seek professional help right away. However, if they have a less serious issue like a toothache or a chipped tooth, you may be able to take care of it at home until you can get them into the dentist’s office.
2. Have the Right At-Home Supplies on Hand
Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll need to see a dentist, it’s always best to be prepared. That’s why we recommend keeping some basic at-home supplies on hand in case of an emergency. This could include over-the-counter pain medication (for toothaches), mouthwash (for rinsing), floss (for cleaning), and ice (for swelling). Of course, you should also have our contact information saved so you can reach us as soon as possible if needed. Our 24-hr emergency line is (303) 886-0699.
3. Apply Pressure To Control Bleeding
If your child has injured their mouth and is bleeding, it’s important to control the bleeding right away. To do this, apply pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze pad. Once the bleeding has stopped, have your child gently rinse their mouth with warm water and apply ice to the area to reduce swelling.
4. Rinse Traumatic Injuries With Warm Water
If your child has an object stuck in their teeth or cheeks, gently floss between the teeth to try to remove it. If the object is stuck in their cheeks, remove it with clean tweezers if possible. If they have injured their tongue, lips, or gums, rinse the area with warm water and apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad if necessary. Applying ice can help reduce any swelling in the area.
5. Take Action for Toothaches
If your child is dealing with a toothache at home, have them rinse their mouth with warm water first and then floss around the affected tooth to remove any food that may be trapped there and causing discomfort. If they’re still in pain after following these steps, give us a call so that we can provide further guidance or schedule an appointment for them as soon as possible. You can also give them over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to help manage their discomfort until they can see us.
Your Emergency Dentist in Denver
We hope that these five emergency dental care tips will help you feel more prepared in case of an unforeseen event. Remember that if your child is experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding, or an injury to their teeth or mouth, you should seek professional help right away by calling our office at (303) 886-0699.
For less serious issues like toothaches or chipped teeth, following some basic at-home care steps until you can get them into our office for treatment is usually sufficient. And lastly, don’t forget to keep our contact information saved so you can reach us as soon as possible if needed!
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency in Denver or surrounding areas, contact Youth Dental and Vision on our 24-hour emergency line at (303) 886-0699. We have locations in Denver, Thornton, Aurora, and Hampden, and Spanish-speaking staff and translators in all our locations. We accept many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Denver Health. We look forward to meeting you!