We all know that kids are much more likely to be involved in minor accidents; slips, falls and bumping into things, not to mention bicycle incidents. It’s a tough road to adulthood that’s for sure. With that in mind, here are some of the most common causes of emergency dental situations in children.

Losing a Tooth

Whether a milk or permanent tooth, this is without doubt the number one reason for dental emergencies in kids. It might be due to a fall or a bike accident and if this should happen, it is important to put the tooth in a container of milk or water. If possible, clean the tooth and place it back in the socket, which increases the chances of saving the tooth. If your child is in pain, acquire some clove oil from the pharmacy and dab this on the gums. Make sure to call the best emergency dentist in Sydney CBD or the one nearest you who accept emergency cases during regular surgery hours.

Fractured Tooth

A cracked or chipped tooth is a common occurrence in children, while adults also break a tooth when playing contact sports. The split could be a minor crack in the tooth enamel, or a deep fracture that reaches the inner pulp and this is a time to seek emergency dental treatment. Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water (no salt) and place a cold compress on the affected area until you can get to see an emergency dentist.

Toothache

While toothache is not really classed as an emergency, it is wise to investigate the cause as soon as you can. Tooth decay is a primary cause of toothache, especially in children with a high sugar content in their diet. Your dentist would advise you regarding suitable food and drink that contains no sugar. Things you can do include having your child brush and floss, which might remove food particles that bacteria are feeding on, rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash (older children) or apply a cold compress. In many cases, the toothache goes away on its own and do check to see if there is swelling, as this is a sure sign of a gum infection. If the pain persists, take your child to see a dentist, who can investigate further.

Dislodged Tooth

When a child has a collision, this can often cause one tooth to move slightly, which causes pressure on the tooth next door. This usually ends up painful. This is not something that will go away and an appointment with the dentist is recommended, who will take a few X-Rays to determine if the tooth has shifted. If so, a correctional device can be used to straighten the tooth. Invisalign is a clear-plastic aligner that can be removed, and most kids prefer this to the traditional wire braces, which are unattractive to teenagers.

While dental clinics are not open 24/7, most will allocate some of their regular appointment slots to emergency cases and if your child should encounter any of the above, the sooner you get them into the dentist’s chair, the better.