Planning for an emergency of any kind seems almost redundant. An emergency constitutes that it was an accident, and therefore not planned. So how can you plan for something that was unexpected and very not planned? When it comes to dental emergencies, you can have a plan set up for a few common emergencies, if they arise. You can never be 100% prepared for an emergency situation, but it’s better to know what to do before your child’s tooth falls out, rather than after.
Establish dental care early
When an emergency occurs, it’s good to already have a pediatric dentist that is familiar with you and your child. This relieves a lot of stress in an otherwise incredibly stressful situation. In addition, since you’ll already have care established, you won’t have to worry about finding a dentist that has opening or accepts emergencies. There shouldn’t be much of a waiting period, and will prevent you from spending more than you have to.
If a baby tooth falls out…
Call your dentist immediately. Depending on the age of your child, they may want your child to come in and check their mouth.
If an adult tooth falls out…
Carefully rinse the tooth in cold water and do NOT scrub or otherwise wash the tooth. Then, place the tooth back into its socket, holding it in place with a piece of gauze or a washcloth. If this isn’t possible, immediately place the tooth in a glass of either milk, water, or saliva. And then contact your dentist immediately. Getting seen immediately is vital in order to save the tooth.
If a tooth gets chipped or cracked…
Call your dentist to schedule an emergency visit, and then find any fragments of tooth that got dislodged. Carefully rinse them in cool water, and then store them in a cup of either milk, water, or saliva. Take this with you to the dentist. Getting the damaged tooth immediately is important to make sure that there aren’t any resulting infections.
As you can see, the first step is always to get in contact with your dentist. These are general tips to keep in mind, just in case you ever find yourself in a dental emergency situation. Just remember, having an existing relationship with a pediatric dentist is one of the best preemptive steps that you can take to prepare yourself for a possible dental emergency.
