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Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Helping You Stay Informed And Prepared

At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand dental emergencies can be scary, especially when they involve your children. When parents are educated about what to do if a dental emergency comes up, they are able to stay calm and handle the situation appropriately. We believe that having a full understanding of what constitutes a real dental emergency, and knowing what you are able to do at home, can make a difference in the outcome. Our team is here to help in any way we can!

Common Dental Problems & At-Home Solutions

Children have curious, creative minds, and as they explore the world and their surroundings, sometimes their adventures may cause accidents and potential injuries to their teeth or gums. We understand these occurrences can be daunting to both parents and children, but knowing how to execute them safely will keep everyone calm.

  • Loose Tooth: This is normal and not a dental emergency if it’s a baby tooth. However, a loose permanent tooth due to trauma needs immediate attention. Please call our office at (203) 371-8282 as soon as possible so our team can arrange for your child to be seen.

  • Knocked-Out Tooth: A tooth may become dislodged due to severe trauma to the face. Taking quick action is crucial to save it, especially if it is a permanent tooth. First, try to put the tooth back in place where it fell out. If that isn’t possible, we recommend putting the tooth in a glass of milk. Be careful not to touch it by the root, but instead hold it by the crown (the top). You should control the bleeding by placing gauze on the impacted area and apply a cold compress. Seek medical attention immediately.

  • Chipped/Cracked Tooth: Accidents or falls can lead to chipped or broken teeth, which may cause pain and sensitivity. Make sure you collect any pieces if possible and rinse them gently with warm water. Have your child delicately rinse their mouth with warm water, but do not spit it out. Instead, let the water drain out the side of their mouth.

  • Toothache: A toothache may happen for many reasons, including food particles stuck in between the teeth or under the gum. The best method is to gargle with warm salt water in order to remove any food. If your child is in pain, you may give them the recommended dosage from over-the-counter pain medication.

  • Broken Jaw: If your child has suffered a broken jaw, immediately place a cold compress or ice pack on it to keep the swelling down. This is a very serious situation and requires immediate medical attention.

  • Lost Filling: Children may lose a filling while they are eating, brushing their teeth or flossing. As a result, your child may experience some discomfort and tooth sensitivity. You can give them pain medication, such as ibuprofen, or apply Orajel to numb the area. Call our office at (203) 371-8282 to schedule an appointment to repair the filling.

  • Soft Tissue Injury: Injuries to the lips, tongue, cheeks or gums, often due to falls or sports activities, can cause bleeding. It is important to control the bleeding by applying pressure with a piece of gauze. You can also give them ice or a popsicle to suck on as the cooling sensation can provide relief.

Assembling A Dental First Aid Kit

Creating a first aid kit ensures you’re ready to handle a pediatric dental emergency. This kit should include many of the essential items found in a standard first aid kit, along with specific oral care supplies to address dental injuries. Your dental first aid kit should contain:

  • Gauze
  • A small cup for mouthwash
  • Mouthwash
  • A cold compress
  • A tooth storage container or a sealed bottle with a cap
Dental emergencies commerce park

Keep your dental emergency first aid kit accessible and prevent sports injuries with a mouthguard. With these precautions and a first aid kit on hand, you’ll be well prepared to handle dental emergencies confidently. Keep the dental first aid kit near your regular first aid kit in a location that you can get to quickly if dental emergencies should occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knowing how to respond when your child has an unexpected dental problem can help you feel more prepared and make informed decisions about when to seek professional help. While some situations can be managed temporarily at home, others require prompt attention from our pediatric dental team. The answers below can help you understand what to watch for and when to contact Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics:

A dental emergency involving a serious facial injury, difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or a suspected broken jaw may require immediate medical attention. For injuries that primarily affect the teeth, gums or other areas of the mouth, contact our pediatric dental team for guidance on the next steps.

Be prepared to explain what happened, when the injury occurred, which area of the mouth is affected and whether your child is experiencing pain, swelling or bleeding. Let our team know if a tooth appears damaged or displaced and whether your child has any relevant medical concerns. These details can help us determine how urgently your child should be seen.

It may be best to have your child take a break from sports and other activities that could cause another impact after a dental emergency until their mouth has been evaluated. Depending on the injury, your child may also need to temporarily modify certain daily activities while the area heals. Our team can recommend the appropriate next steps based on your child’s needs.

Even when your child has little or no discomfort, a dental emergency can still affect a tooth or the surrounding structures. If your child has experienced a significant impact to the mouth, contacting Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics can help determine whether an examination is appropriate and whether any follow-up is needed.

If your child can eat and drink comfortably, offer soft foods that are gentle on the affected area. Encourage plenty of fluids and avoid foods that may irritate the injury or cause discomfort. Let our team know if your child experiences pain while eating or drinking.

Our pediatric dental team is experienced in evaluating children after unexpected dental injuries and can help determine the appropriate next step. If your child has a dental concern that needs professional attention, contact us to discuss their symptoms and request an appointment.

Caring For Your Child In A Dental Emergency

Quick and decisive action can help ensure your child recovers without permanent dental damage. If your child sustains a facial injury, visiting us at Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics as soon as possible is crucial. Prompt professional care in other cases can be the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Sometimes teeth can be damaged without visible signs and can only be detected by X-rays. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our office at (203) 371-8282. We are here for you!

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Healthy Smiles Start at Commerce Park

Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care for all ages. Our inclusive approach and experienced team provide low-stress visits and a friendly environment. Get started at one of our three convenient locations!

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Healthy Smiles Start at Commerce Park

Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care For The Whole Family

We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care for the whole family. Our inclusive approach and experienced team provide low-stress visits and a friendly environment. Get started at one of our three convenient locations!

Bridgeport

4702 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 371-8282

Shelton

27 Huntington St., Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 371-8282

Westport

1580 Post Rd. E, Westport, CT 06880
(203) 371-8282

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