From Playful Tumbles to Dental Troubles: Navigating Your Toddler’s Unexpected Dental Mishaps
Any parent is well-aware of the boundless energy, but precarious movements of a toddler. Dental trauma is incredibly common, but leaves many parents confused about when exactly they need to seek help. Kids embody the essence of happiness, racing down slides or partaking in a playful game of peek-a-boo in the cozy corners of your living space.
However, in the blink of an eye… oops! A minor misstep, a tumble, and suddenly your little explorer has a bleeding lip, bruising, swelling or even worse a chipped or broken tooth!
Seeing their beaming smile marred by a dental accident can tug at a parent’s deepest emotions. Injuries can affect gums and baby teeth or even damage developing adult teeth. It is vital to respond quickly and gain appropriate advice early.Worry not! We are here to provide you with a practical first aid kit guideline.
- Bleeding Gums and Milk Teeth Injuries: Should your child hurt their gums or milk teeth (aka baby teeth or deciduous teeth), press a cool, damp piece of gauze onto the injury to curb bleeding. For older kids, having them bite down on the gauze is helpful. Alleviate swelling with a cloth-wrapped ice pack against their cheek. If they seem uncomfortable, consider administering child-friendly pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always contact your dentist right away and keep an eye out for symptoms like inflamed gums, persistent pain, fever, or a change in the tooth’s shade. If the bleeding is coming from inside the tooth, or the gum immediately surrounding the tooth then a broken tooth may be the cause of bleeding.
- Chipped or Broken Teeth: Accidents like falls in the park or slips in the bath can result in chipped teeth, a typical occurrence among children. While some chips are minor, others can go deep, exposing the tooth’s inner parts. Such significant chips need immediate attention. Always consult with an emergency dentist for kids, even if a chip seems trivial, as underlying issues might not be immediately visible. A broken tooth where the nerve is exposed can be incredibly painful, and if left untreated can lead to the formation of a dental abscess. A systemic infection can occur weeks later which can be dangerous if not treated quickly. If you suspect a fever or swelling near the neck or airways is associated with an infected tooth an emergency visit to the ER or your dentist is vital.
- Knocked-Out Teeth: If a baby tooth gets knocked out prematurely, avoid putting it back in. Retain the tooth for your dentist’s inspection and get in touch to determine the next steps. On the other hand, if an adult tooth is knocked out, act quickly:
Clean the tooth with saline water if possible, and try to place it back in its spot before contacting your dentist or local paediatric hospital immediately. If you are uncertain whether a tooth is a baby or adult tooth, call us! We may be able to give you direct advice over the phone from photos or video chat.
Kids Dentist in Brisbane
At Grange Family Dental, we always strive to foster positive relationships with our young patients. This extends beyond general dental check-ups and cleanings to more urgent situations like dental trauma. When children develop a trusting, long-term bond with their dentist, their anxiety diminishes even in traumatic situations. A familiar face can make all the difference during stressful visits. Remember, in any dental mishap, quick action combined with the right information is key. Always keep your trusted dentist’s contact close by and seek expert guidance when in doubt.
