Emergency Care
A dental emergency can be a scary situation for parents and their children. If your child is having a dental emergency, bring them to an emergency pediatric dentist in Jacksonville or St. Johns, FL. At Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry, we help children recover from dental emergencies through swift dental care.
Emergency Dental Care in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL
Parents choose Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry for emergency pediatric dental care because our dental professionals are highly trained in pediatric dentistry procedures that can save a tooth and stop the pain.
When Is It A Dental Emergency?
It’s not always clear when it’s a dental emergency. If your child is in pain, if you see swelling in their mouth, or if they’ve damaged or lost a permanent tooth, call the dentist. The faster you act, the better.
What Should I Do When My Child Loses a Permanent Tooth?
It’s a dental emergency when your child loses a permanent tooth. Permanent teeth can get knocked out during sporting events, when roughhousing at home, or during slips and falls.
If your child’s permanent tooth has been knocked out, take the following steps:
- Locate the permanent tooth. It may be in their mouth, on the floor, or on a surface nearby.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown. Do not touch the tooth’s roots.
- Rinse the tooth. Rinse the tooth under water. Do not use soap to clean the tooth, and do not touch the root of the tooth during cleaning. Do not scrub the tooth.
- Put the tooth back in the hole. If your child is willing and able, put the tooth back in the hole it came out of, roots first. Ask your child to clamp their teeth shut to keep the tooth in place. If your child is not willing to put the tooth back in the hole in their mouth, ask them to hold the tooth in their cheek. They should not bite down on the tooth, but hold the tooth gently in the pouch of their cheek. Alternatively, if your child is unable to do either of these things, put the tooth in milk. Keep it moist at all times.
- Visit the dentist immediately. If possible, visit the dentist within 30 minutes of the accident.
Tips to Avoid Dental Emergencies
Kids are susceptible to dental emergencies because they’re active people who often play hard. As a parent, there are things you can do to help your child avoid dental emergencies.
- Encourage your child to wear a mouthguard and protective equipment when playing sports. If your child is active in high-contact sports, have your child wear a mouthguard and protective equipment (such as helmets and pads) at all times, even during practice.
- Discourage your child from using their teeth as tools. Teeth are not scissors. If your child uses their teeth to cut through packaging and other items, they may become injured. Encourage your child to use the correct tools when breaking or tearing items open.
- Take your child to the dentist every six months. Help your child maintain good oral health by taking your child to the dentist for a cleaning and exam every six months, or as often as the dentist recommends.
- Practice good oral hygiene at home. Help your child maintain healthy teeth and gums. If they’re not old enough to brush their own teeth, do it for them. If your child is old enough to brush their teeth, check up with them regularly to be sure they brush twice daily and floss once daily.
- Prevent slips and falls that could lead to injuries. Keep walkways clear to prevent slips and falls that can lead to dental injury.
Emergency Dental Care Frequently Asked Questions
How can I help my child if they have a toothache?
If your child has a toothache, inspect their teeth to identify the source of the problem. You may see food stuck between their teeth or in their gums. If you’re unable to find the source of the problem, give them a cold compress and call the dentist for next steps.
Will you replace a baby tooth that is knocked out?
If your child has a knocked out baby tooth, we may not put it back in. Re-inserting a knocked out baby tooth can damage a permanent tooth, if it is near the surface. Give us a call to find out how we can help your child.
My child’s tooth is broken and bleeding from the center of the tooth. What should I do?
This is a dental emergency. Collect the broken part of the tooth and keep it safe. Contact the emergency dentist for next steps.
How can I tell if my child needs a root canal?
A root canal is an emergency dental procedure that dentists use when a patient has a dental infection. Dental infections usually hurt very badly. If your child has a severe toothache or swelling around their tooth, this is a sign they need help from the dentist. Call immediately.
How can I tell the difference between a dental emergency and a routine dental problem?
If your child is in pain, don’t wait to call. It’s not always clear when your child is having a dental emergency. We can help you determine when your child is having an urgent problem. Waiting to call the dentist can lead to a dental infection or even a lost permanent tooth.
Is Your Child Having A Dental Emergency? Call Now
When your child is having a dental emergency, it’s important to get help from an emergency pediatric dentist in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL. Patients in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL choose the dental professionals at Cochran, Soares, and Associates. Our practice is set up to provide swift care when it’s needed.
Not sure whether it’s an emergency? Give us a call. Don’t risk your child’s dental health.
