Every parent wants their children to be safe, healthy, and receive necessary care promptly. Unfortunately, dental issues can be particularly tricky as they often come with pain, and kids may struggle to articulate their discomfort. This makes it challenging to determine what constitutes a dental emergency. To help you identify pediatric dental emergencies, we've provided some examples that require immediate attention.
A pediatric dental emergency refers to any dental issue that requires urgent care by a dentist. Children's dental problems can be particularly painful and impact the development of their future teeth. Therefore, it's essential to be aware and proactive in addressing dental issues.
Some typical emergencies that we see kids experience include lost teeth, chipped or broken teeth, tooth pain, displaced teeth, and dental abscess. If your child loses a tooth, try to find it and keep it in milk or salt water until you can get to the dentist. Broken teeth are usually painful, and until you can get to the dentist, you should put a cold compress on the tooth and give your child an appropriate over-the-counter pain medication. Tooth pain could be due to various reasons, such as food stuck in their teeth or cavities, among others. If the pain persists, make an appointment to see the dentist.
Displaced teeth and dental abscess are considered dental emergencies and require immediate attention from a dentist. Dental abscess, if left untreated, can spread to other parts of the body, leading to severe health complications.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, do not hesitate to contact Dental Associates of West Michigan at (616) 554-5970 for same-day dental care. Our team is ready to provide timely help so that your child's pain or dental trauma can be alleviated right away.