“Sometimes bad things happen to good teeth,” is what we often think when a true dental emergency occurs. When consistent dental care is provided to children, it is unlikely for cavities to progress to the point where an emergency is related to tooth decay. However, emergencies like a knocked out tooth, a broken tooth, certain broken orthodontic appliances, or a soft tissue injury in the mouth often occur out of nowhere, when you least expect them. Management of emergencies like those listed above is just another aspect of aid we provide and we make sure emergencies are taken care of in the fastest time possible.
And, for a number of reasons, quick management is a critical aspect of caring for emergencies. None of us want to see our children in any pain or discomfort but additionally, the faster most emergencies are managed, the better the outcome. That is why we will see any emergency as soon as we can either during regular business hours of through our 7-day a week after hours emergency service.
When we speak of dental emergencies, we are talking about things like a traumatic injury to the teeth or mouth, any kind of tooth pain, a lost filling or dental crown, a broken orthodontic appliance that is causing pain or discomfort, or any other situation where a parent doesn’t know how to make their child feel comfortable.
Let’s start with aches. When a toothache happens it could be for a number of reasons, such as a piece of food trapped in the gums, a broken tooth, or a cavity that has become an abscess. When something like this happens, start by inspecting the mouth and consider what was recently eaten. If something is stuck, clean using floss or a waterpik. If any type of swelling is occurring, start with an ice pack to help control it but a call to the dentist is definitely in order if you witness swelling.
For chipped or broken tooth, look for the broken piece especially if it is from a front tooth. If you can locate it, save it and bring it to the office as we may be able to use the natural tooth in our repair. The primary goal of course is to prevent chewing it (possibly additional tooth damage) or swallowing or inhaling it. Almost always, something like this requires immediate intervention to attempt to limit the follow up problems related to it and to protect the tooth from further damage that could lead to a root canal or loss of the tooth.
A knocked-out tooth is very serious and also calls for an urgent trip to the dentist. If a tooth is dislodged, it is advised to put the tooth back in its place as fast as possible. You do not want to rinse the tooth outright but any gross debris should be removed gently. If a tooth cannot be put back in the mouth for whatever reason, put the tooth in milk or Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (many times the schools will have this on hand) straight away. A knocked-out tooth has the best prognosis when it is replaced immediately and seen by the dentist within an hour of the injury so that further care may be provided, such as splinting to hold it steady.
Lost fillings, dental restorations, or damaged orthodontic appliances also fall into the category of situations where a dentist may need to be visited as quickly as possible but not always. For example, if an orthodontic bracket or wire is pushed out in an awkward position, using an item like a pencil eraser could help guide the wire back into place. Gauze, wax, or cotton products can help as well.
Of course, if something is loose, painful, poking, interrupting chewing, or a possible choking hazard our dental specialists would like to see you immediately.
There are numerous emergencies that may call for dental attention. It is our strong recommendation to address serious dental problems as fast as possible to reduce discomfort and improve the chances of a good outcome from the management care provided. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan is always available to help in any time of need.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital when needed.
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan
39400 Garfield Rd., Suite 200
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-286-0700
www.mychildsteeth.com
