A dental emergency is scary enough as an adult and even scarier when regarding your child. However, knowing what to do in a 
frightening or jarring situation can mean the difference between a permanent gap in a smile or potentially saving a tooth. Find out how you should handle dental emergencies with Dr. Yedda Gomes-Ruane at Dentistry For Children at Weston in Weston, FL.
What are some common dental emergencies?
Dental emergencies are often a fact of life when it comes to children who play contact sports or just generally enjoy rough-housing. However, these emergencies can also happen due to accidents like falling down or running into a door frame. Some common dental emergencies include:
- chipped teeth
- cracked teeth
- broken teeth
- knocked out teeth
- dental abscess
- toothache
What should I do if I experience a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can range from a simple chipped tooth to an injury which knocks out several teeth at once. Most chipped teeth are nothing to worry about and, unless they chip underneath the gumline or cause severe pain, are most likely purely aesthetic. However, conditions like dental abscesses, which occur due to an infection of the tooth, should be seen by your dentist immediately.
If you experience a knocked out tooth, find the tooth and pick it up from the crown. Never touch the root. Gently rinse the tooth with water if it is dirty and try to replace it back into its socket. Stop if you feel pain or have to use any force, place the tooth into a container of milk and take it to your dentist’s office as soon as possible for treatment.
A broken tooth also requires immediate dental treatment. Sometimes, a tooth may break due to being weakened by decay and your child may not experience any pain. However, the broken tooth is compromised and at risk of breaking more, becoming painful or damaging the surrounding oral tissues. Gather any pieces that you can and take them with you to your dental appointment in Weston as soon as possible.
You should consider a toothache a dental emergency. This condition is one of the most obvious signs of tooth decay and occurs when the tooth’s nerve becomes damaged. To protect the tooth from further damage, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.
For more information on dental emergencies, please contact Dr. Yedda Gomes-Ruane at Dentistry For Children at Weston in Weston, FL. Call (954) 384-4560 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Gomes-Ruane today!