Emergency Pediatric Dentistry
Dental emergencies happen every day, but we never expect them. That’s why our office is always ready to prioritize our patients who have emergency needs. If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to give us a call as soon as possible. Whether your child is an established patient, or this would be their first visit to our office, our emergency Colorado Springs pediatric dentist will see them as soon as possible.
How Do I Know if My Child Has a Dental Emergency?
Some of the most common pediatric dental emergencies we see include:
- A Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Tooth: If your child’s tooth breaks off, call us right away. It’s a good idea to locate the tooth fragments, if you’re able.
- A Toothache: If your child complains that they have a toothache, the first thing to do is ensure they have nothing stuck between their teeth. If the pain continues, call our office immediately. In the meantime, rinse his or her mouth with warm water, then try a cold compress. Over the counter pain relievers can also help.
- Broken Jaw: If you think your child broke his or her jaw, use a cold compress to get the swelling down and visit the dentist office immediately.
- Bite on Tongue or Lip: If your baby or child bites their tongue or lip and breaks the skin, rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress. It’s also time to see your dentist as soon as possible.
- A Knocked-Out Tooth: children sometimes lose their teeth in accidents during sports or playing. It’s possible to save the tooth if you act quickly, so be sure to give us a call as soon as you can.
Safety Tips to Prevent Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Do Not Run with Objects in Your Mouth: Often children will run with toothbrushes, pencils, or candy in their mouths. Make sure your child understands that this isn’t safe.
Use Gates: If you have very young children, it’s a good idea to use a gate to block stairways or other areas of your home that could be dangerous.
Don’t Use Teeth as Scissors: Instruct your children to never use their teeth to open things. They should instead use scissors and, if they’re very young, do so only under adult supervision.
Use a Mouthguard: Often, children’s dental emergencies are a result of injury during sports and can be prevented by using a mouthguard. Any time your child participates in activities involving blows to the head, falling, or flying equipment, they should be wearing their mouthguard.
Visit the Dentist Every 6 Months: This helps ensure that your child’s teeth are in good condition.
Don’t Wait, Call Us Now!
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, make sure you call our office at 719-596-6920 as soon as possible. Whether your child is a new or existing patient, we will prioritize getting them into the office as soon as we can. You can also contact us from the website.