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Dental Trauma

3 Girls playing soccer, Kids will be kids.

Here at Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry, we know that kids will be kids. They enjoy roughhousing, playing, riding bikes, participating in sports, jumping on the trampoline and other things that may potentially cause harm or dental trauma! Because of this, you may encounter a dental emergency and we want you to feel prepared if and when these situations arise.

Dealing with Dental Trauma

Below are a few tips on how to deal with a dental emergency until you can get to our office for an emergency appointment. Follow the instructions below to ensure the best outcome for your child’s dental emergency:

Toothache

In the event that your child begins to complain of a toothache, you first want to rule out the possibility that leftover food debris could be causing the discomfort. Have your child rinse with warm water and then gently floss his or her teeth. If the pain continues, apply a cold compress to the tooth and make an appointment at our office.

Laceration to the Lips, Tongue, or Cheeks

If the lips, tongue, or cheeks have been cut, lacerated, or bitten deeply, apply ice to the area. To control any bleeding, apply pressure with a sterile piece of cloth or gauze. If the wound continues to bleed heavily or looks to be quite deep, take your child to an emergency care clinic or an emergency room to receive stitches.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

A baby tooth becoming knocked out isn’t usually considered a dental emergency and won’t require treatment in most cases. Contact Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry during normal business hours and we’ll let you know if you need to make an appointment based on the circumstances and severity.

Knocked-Out Adult Tooth 

If possible, locate the missing tooth and pick it up by the crown, never the roots. Rinse the tooth with cool water and attempt to reinsert the tooth into the socket. If this is too painful or if your child may choke on the tooth, store it in a cup of milk or your child’s saliva. Contact our office immediately. If we can see you within an hour of the tooth being knocked out, there’s a much better chance that the tooth can be saved.

Cracked/Chipped Adult Tooth

If one of your child’s permanent teeth has become broken, retrieve any pieces and store them in milk or your child’s saliva. Bring these fragments with you to our office. Contact us immediately to make an appointment, as we can often save a chipped or cracked tooth if we’re able to treat it quickly. In the meantime, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and use ice to reduce any swelling.

For any additional questions or concerns or if your child has undergone a dental emergency, please contact Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry immediately. We are located in Greensboro, NC, but we also see patients from Summerfield, and Oak Ridge; as well as the children living within neighborhoods like New & Old Irving Park, Forest Valley, Friendly Acres, and more.