When you think of a medical emergency, you probably don’t picture an oral health problem. But, some dental issues can be significantly painful or obvious and require prompt medical treatment from a dentist. This is especially true for kids and teens who need to perform at their best while playing sports, learning at school, or participating in other extracurricular activities.
If you’re a parent, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following signs that your child may need emergency dental care:
- Tooth pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication. If the pain doesn’t subside in a few hours with child-safe pain relievers, you should promptly consult with a pediatric dentist. Severe pain can indicate root damage or tooth decay.
- A knocked-out adult tooth. It’s one thing to lose a wiggly baby tooth, but another thing entirely to lose a permanent adult tooth. If one of your child’s adult teeth has been knocked out, take the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse it off, and place it in a glass of milk. Then, call your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
- Cracked or chipped teeth. An accident that causes a cracked or chipped tooth can lead to more than just an unusual smile—if left unaddressed, the damage can deepen and affect the tooth’s root and structural integrity.
- Jaw pain or swelling. Noticeable discomfort while speaking, yawning, or eating may be due to frequent jaw clenching that can be addressed with a custom-made bite guard. Swelling can be a sign of a broken jaw—an injury that should be treated as quickly as possible.
Emergency Pediatric Dental Care in the Venice, FL Area
For emergency dental care near Venice, Florida, families can turn to the experts at Cool Kid Dental. Our team is led by Dr. Frank Pettinato, a Board-Certified pediatric dentist who offers same-day and after-hours dental treatment. Contact us today at (941) 841-1010 to learn more information.