| One of the most frightening events for a child | | | | below the tooth (never on the tooth itself). Rinse |
| and parents alike is when an accidental trauma | | | | the mouth and apply an ice pack to prevent |
| occurs in the mouth area. It could come as the | | | | swelling until you can get to the dentist. If |
| result of a fall or being hit by a baseball, or any | | | | possible, gather all pieces of the tooth and place |
| one of a number of other scenarios. Because | | | | them in a sealed plastic bag with a little water (not |
| such an event can happen virtually any time of | | | | milk) and bring them with you to the emergency |
| the day or night, it is essential that parents have | | | | provider. |
| a "dental home" that they can call when | | | | --Knocked-out tooth: If it is a permanent tooth, |
| emergency services are required. Here is a brief | | | | rinse the tooth with water without touching the |
| parents' guide for what to do when a child dental | | | | roots and reinsert it gently into the socket, holding |
| emergency arises. | | | | it in place with gauze. If it cannot be reinserted, |
| --Broken jaw: If it is obvious that your child has | | | | place it in a plastic bag with saliva or plain water |
| suffered a broken or fractured jaw, then an | | | | and take it with you to the emergency dentist. |
| emergency room visit is in order. Otherwise, a | | | | For a primary tooth, do not attempt to reinsert |
| good pediatric dentist with 24-hour contact for | | | | the tooth: but there will probably be a considerable |
| emergency services can handle most other dental | | | | amount of bleeding to attend to. Apply gentle |
| emergencies in a non-threatening atmosphere and | | | | pressure on the gums above or below the missing |
| for significantly less cost. | | | | tooth: never on the wound itself. Contact a |
| --Toothache: Toothaches can be caused by a | | | | pediatric dentist right away when emergencies |
| variety of different factors including cavities and | | | | arise. |
| infections. Parents should gently floss around the | | | | If your child is into sports, having him or her wear |
| tooth to determine whether the pain is simply | | | | a mouth guard appliance during play is a great |
| being caused by trapped food. If the floss is clear, | | | | preventive measure against accidental mouth |
| rinse the mouth with warm salt water, apply a | | | | injuries. Sports-related injuries account by far for |
| cold compress, and call your "dental home:" | | | | the greatest number of dental emergencies, so |
| preferably a good pediatric dentist. | | | | having child athletes use mouth guards makes |
| --Broken or chipped tooth: If there is bleeding, | | | | good common sense. |
| apply direct pressure to the gum just above or | | | | |