Dental Emergencies

Knocks and Tumbles are part of childhood and can result in damage to teeth.

• Ensure your child wears a mouth guard while playing sports. A mouth guard can protect your child’s teeth and mouth from injury and may also reduce the risk of concussion should an accident occur. We recommend mouth guards that are custom made by your dentist because they fit better.
• If a dental emergency occurs, see a dentist as soon as possible. Have your dentist’s day time phone number and after-hours emergency number readily available so you can contact them right away.

Types of Dental Emergencies

Displaced Teeth

If a tooth is slightly pushed in or out, use light finger pressure to move the tooth back to its normal position. Do not force the tooth. Use a moist cloth or piece of gauze to hold the tooth in place. See a dentist within 30 minutes.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

See a dentist immediately. Try to find the broken or chipped portion of the tooth and take it with you. Even if that part of the tooth cannot be bonded back to the rest of the tooth, the dentist may be able to use the piece to recreate the appearance of the original tooth.

Toothache

Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to clean it. Use floss to remove any food that may be trapped between teeth. You may give your child a painkiller, such as a pediatric sugar free version of paracetamol, for the pain but you must visit your dentist immediately to find out the cause of the toothache.

Injuries to Soft Tissues

These include tears, cuts or punctures to the cheeks, lips or tongue. Clean the wound immediately with warm water and then go to a hospital or emergency center for treatment. If there is a cut to the tongue, pull the tongue forward and apply pressure to the area with a clean cloth or with gauze to stop the bleeding.

DeCare Dental Insurance can help you save money on your dental care and protect your oral health.