Children have specific emotional and developmental needs. At our pediatric dentistry practice, we specialize in addressing these needs and making young patients feel at ease when visiting the dentist. Experiencing a pediatric dental emergency can be a traumatic experience for children. This is particularly true during a period when it’s important to educate children about forming healthy oral care habits. Many dental health emergencies are the result of untreated, underlying problems. Children are more likely to develop cavities than adult patients. Often, they lack the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively, which causes bacteria to develop. You can trust your family’s dental needs will be taken care of at Lovett Dental Corpus Christi.
Why a Pediatric Dental Emergency Is Unique
As children’s adult teeth grow in, they may experience tooth crowding, which is when there is not enough jawbone available to accommodate all of the teeth. Or, wisdom teeth may only partially emerge and create infections in the gum. Children who play sports may experience athletic injuries resulting in a cracked or missing tooth. When we treat pediatric dental emergencies, we address the immediate concern while continuing to provide our standard pediatric dental services, including preventive care, oral exams, and the diagnosis and management of gum disease.
When to Seek Treatment for a Dental Emergency
Bring your child in for an emergency appointment if your child has suffered dental trauma, has an oral infection, or is experiencing problems with their braces’ wires or brackets. Chipping, breaking, or knocking out a tooth are examples of dental trauma. If you’re able to bring your child to our offices within two hours of knocking out a tooth, we may be able to reattach the natural tooth without having to use a dental implant. We only perform this procedure for permanent teeth. Children who knock out their baby teeth can simply wait for the new tooth to grow in.
Sometimes, children may drink a hot liquid quickly and burn their mouths. Usually, you can manage these burns at home. However, if the burns and blisters continue to cause your child pain after 10 days, schedule an appointment so that a pediatric dentist can examine the area.
Don’t ignore your child when they complain about gum pain or swelling. This pain can be an indicator of an abscess or an underlying infection. One of our dentists will perform a thorough oral exam and may prescribe antibiotics or topical gels to treat the issue.
Solutions at Lovett Dental Corpus Christi
Sometimes, you may not have the time to visit our office right away. If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, there are some intermediate treatments that you can do at home until you’re able to come in for an appointment. Help your child rinse with warm water to combat toothaches and soothe sore gums. Use floss to remove any leftover food that may be causing irritation. Buy dental wax to help you deal with emergencies involving braces. When a bracket falls off, or a wire becomes loose, you can use dental wax to stop the wire from poking the soft tissue in your child’s mouth until the orthodontist is able to rework the dental braces.
When air hits a damaged tooth, it can be painful. If your child needs a root canal or has knocked out their dental filling, use clove oil to temporarily relieve the pain. Other pain relief options include ice packs. In the meantime, you can fill the hole with wax.
Prompt care following a pediatric dental emergency is crucial. Call Lovett Dental Corpus Christi at 361-986-1117 to determine if your child’s situation is an emergency and to make an appointment.
