Despite how hard we try, we cannot avoid accidents all the time, and this means our children will have accidents, too. Sometimes, these accidents include dental injuries that may or may not require emergency intervention from a pediatric dentist in Chicago, IL. In these situations, Chicago KiDDS is prepared to see your child on short notice.
(If your child has suffered a dental injury, please contact us right away for an appointment.)
When your child does experience dental trauma, it is best to be able to identify the situation and assess what your next steps will be. For example, if your child is in pain or there is a risk of losing a permanent tooth, these are both examples of situations which will require an emergency dental appointment.
Below, you will find a list of common pediatric dental emergencies and how to handle them.
Common Dental Emergencies & What To Do
- Cut/Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek
If the wound is bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure to the area, and use ice on any bruising. If bleeding has not stopped after 15 minutes, take your child into the emergency room.
- Broken Braces or Wires
When someone has traditional metal braces, brackets and wires will occasionally come loose or break. However, if the broken appliance is not causing any discomfort, a same-day appointment may not be necessary.
If the broken piece or pieces is poking soft tissue, causing pain, or has become lodged, you may use cotton balls, wax, gauze, or chewing gum to cover the protruding edge(s). In this situation, you should make an appointment with your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
- Chipped or Broken Tooth
If a child breaks or chips a tooth, you will need to schedule an emergency dental appointment, especially if it is an adult tooth. Before the appointment, rinse the area with warm water and apply a cold compress to the affected area. If there are broken tooth fragments, collect them and make sure there are none left behind in the mouth.
- Knocked Out (Permanent) Tooth
If your child has lost a permanent tooth, make an emergency dental appointment and be sure to bring the tooth with if you can. When gathering the tooth, pick it up by its crown (the top), never the root, and rinse it without handling it too much.
Attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket, and then use a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place until you get to the dentist. If you cannot reinsert your child’s tooth, you can also bring the tooth to the dentist in a small container of milk.
- Excessive Bleeding After A Baby Tooth Falls Out
Bleeding after losing a baby tooth is normal, but if the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes you should take your child to the emergency room. Be sure to apply pressure to the area as soon as the tooth falls out, and watch the clock to see if the bleeding stops in a reasonable amount of time.
- Broken Jaw
If your child has or might have broken their jaw, take them to the emergency room immediately. You can gently tie your child’s mouth closed with a handkerchief, towel, or necktie to keep the jaw stable during travel.
A Chicago Emergency Dentist – Chicago KiDDS Pediatric Dentistry
When your child experiences a dental injury, finding an emergency dentist in Chicago you can trust can be difficult. The team at Chicago KiDDS is here for you and your family when emergencies occur, and we are committed to ensuring that your child’s oral health always comes first.
For emergency dentistry services you can rely on, as well as general dentistry and preventative care, schedule an appointment at Chicago KiDDS today.
