Being Prepared for Dental Emergencies
贰补肠丑听February, the American听Dental听Association (ADA) sponsors National听Children’s Dental Health Month听to raise awareness about the importance of听oral health. Here below is information on how families may be prepared in the event of a dental emergency:
Be Prepared
Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing your child鈥檚 teeth. Here are some tips to help you cope quickly and calmly with a dental emergency.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Baby tooth
听If something happen to any of a child鈥檚 primary (baby) teeth, you should take your child to the dentist as soon as you can. If a tooth is completely out, do not try to put it back into the tooth socket. Although it is normal for children to lose primary teeth, an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the permanent (adult) tooth underneath.
Adult tooth
Unlike a baby tooth that is knocked out, an adult tooth should be put back into the socket. After you find the tooth, hold it by the crown (top), not the root. If the tooth looks dirty, rinse the root briefly with water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached bits of tissue.If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean washcloth or gauze pad. If this isn鈥檛 possible, see if the child can hold the tooth under his or her tongue. If that does not work either, put the tooth in a container with milk, saliva, saline (salt) solution, or an emergency tooth preservation kit. If none of those liquids are available put the tooth in water.
Broken or Cracked Tooth
Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put a cold compress (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the face to reduce swelling. Go to the dentist right away. If you can find the broken tooth piece, bring it with you听 to the dentist. Wrap it in some wet gauze or a wet towel if possible.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
Clean the area gently with a cloth and place a cold compress on the area to keep swelling down. If there is a lot of bleeding or if it doesn鈥檛 stop after a short time, take your child to a dentist or an emergency center.
Toothache or Swollen Face
Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Give your child what you would normally give him or her for pain. Do not put aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gums. Take your child to the dentist as soon as you can. If your child鈥檚 face is swollen, take your child to your dentist or physician. Selling of the face can be a sign of serious infection.
Possible Broken Jaw
Apply a cold compress to control swelling. Take your child to the dentist or an emergency center right away.
If a Dental Emergency Happens While You Are Traveling
Go to on the internet and click on 鈥淎DA-Find-a-Dentist鈥 to find an ADA member dentist near you. If you are out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy. Many embassies and consulates keep lists of local medical and dental staff, which may also be available online at wwwusembassy.gov