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Children’s Dental Emergencies

Children's Dental Emergencies | Dentist Castlemaine Every parent wants their child to make the most of their childhood. However, children are not excused from the dangers that come with everyday life.

Their active lifestyle and carefree nature only add to the chances of them being hurt. Whether we like it or not, dental emergencies can happen.

Your local dentist at Castlemaine Smiles wants you to be prepared all the time. We don’t want your child to be in pain any more than you do!

Knowledge of basic first aid and a calm reserve are very important in dealing with dental emergencies. We have listed some of the most common children’s dental emergencies and the first aid steps that can help you manage them.

Common Children’s Dental Emergencies And Their First Aid Steps

Toothache

Children are fond of eating treats, specially candies. Often this leads to a toothache. Other causes of toothaches can be fractures, tooth trauma, and tooth sensitivity.

Here’s how you can help your child:

  • Let your child gargle with lukewarm salt water.
  • Make sure there is no food debris left by gently flossing around the tooth.
  • If you see swelling, press a cold compress to the outside cheek of the affected area.
  • Do not give aspirin to your child and never put aspirin against gums near an aching tooth because it can burn the gum tissue.
  • Call your dentist immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth

Here’s how you can help your child:

  • Rinse your child’s mouth with clean warm water.
  • Press a cold compress on the outside cheek of the affected area to reduce swelling.
  • Recover the tooth immediately. Pick the knocked out tooth up by the crown and not the root.
  • Handle the tooth carefully because damage may prevent re-implantation.
  • If it is a baby tooth, do not attempt to reinsert it as this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
  • If it is a permanent tooth, reinsert the tooth into its original position if possible. Hold it in place by gently biting down on a clean piece of cloth.

Note: If you are not sure if it is a permanent tooth or not, best let the dentist do the re-implantation.

  • Wash the tooth gently in a bowl of lukewarm water for no more than 10 seconds. Do this only if there is dirt or any foreign matter on the tooth otherwise just soak the tooth in saline or milk.
  • Call your dentist within 30 minutes of the injury.

Broken Braces

Here’s how you can help your child:

  • Remove the offending wire using the eraser end of a pencil. Make sure that it is clean.
  • Cover the edges with clean gauze or cotton.
  • Call your dentist immediately.

Bitten Lip Or Tongue

The lips and the tongue are soft tissues, which include a large number of blood vessels. They are sensitive and bleed easily, making injuries look much worse.

In case of a bitten lip or tongue, here’s how you can help your child:

  • Rinse mouth with clean water.
  • Apply direct pressure to the affected area with clean gauze or a piece of cloth.
  • Call your dentist immediately.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule will continue in 2017

In the news:

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has applauded announcement by the Turnbull Government and its Health Minister, Greg Hunt, to reinstate the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) cap to $1,000.

Click here to find out more

Castlemaine Smiles Dentist, Your Local Dentist In Castlemaine

Administering proper first aid is crucial to alleviate pain during dental emergencies. But to ensure absolute safety, visiting your dentist immediately is just as important.

Same Day Emergency Appointment is usually available at Castlemaine Smiles Dentist.

Call us on (03) 5472 1377 or request your appointment online today!