| Baby teeth : dental emergencies in children Inglewood |
There is a common misconception that baby teeth are not as important as permanent teeth since they will eventually be replaced. This is not so. It is the baby teeth that act as spacers making sufficient room in the jaw for permanent teeth. So when a dental injury occurs to your child’s baby teeth, it is considered an emergency due to the sensitive nature of their emerging teeth.
Almost all children have experienced a dental emergency while growing up. It can happen while learning to walk or even while running around in the nursery. At times like this it is essential that you remain calm and call the dentist as soon as possible.
Type of dental emergencies
There are two most common dental emergencies:
1. Teeth completely knocked out
2. Teeth chipped off
The most common dental emergency occurs while learning to walk. The child usually falls on furniture and hits the weak baby teeth. As a result the baby teeth with chip or even knock out completely. You are advised to take your child to the dentist immediately. When treating baby teeth, the dentist’s aim will be to save the teeth. If the tooth has been completely knocked out, the dentist will try his or her best to re-implant the tooth. This being said, the faster your child arrives at the dentist, the better chance of saving the tooth.
How can you prepare for such dental emergencies?
It is always better to be prepared for an emergency. Be sure to have a dentist who will be available for your child’s dental emergencies. By this we mean he or she must be available even after working hours. Always have your dentist’s emergency phone number at hand, in your wallet, in your organizer or anywhere easily accessible.
What to do during an emergency?
If teeth have been completely knocked out:
Remain calm and comfort your child. Call your dentist. If bleeding, use some warm water to rinse your child’s mouth. If necessary give a pain reliever and place an ice bag to lessen the swelling. If the tooth is detached, make sure you clean it in water but do not touch the root with your hands. Place it in a cup moist with saliva or milk and see the dentist immediately.
If teeth have been chipped off:
Usually this will not require urgent attention, and you can schedule an appointment with your dentist for a convenient time. But if your child is in pain call your dentist immediately.
During an emergency time plays a critical role. Following these small steps will help prevent your child losing his or her baby teeth and keep them smiling always!
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