You may not associate oral health problems with medical emergencies, but some dental issues can be particularly noticeable or painful and require prompt treatment from a dentist. This is especially true for growing children and teens who need to feel their best while at school, playing sports, or enjoying 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.
- Cracked or chipped teeth. An accident that causes a cracked or chip 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.
- 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.
Emergency Dental Care Services for Kids in North Port, FL
Families in North Port, Florida, can turn to Cool Kid Dental for emergency dental care services from a Board-Certified pediatric dentist. To learn more about our same-day dental care, please contact our team at (941) 841-1010.