Dental Emergency in Kids during COVID-19

Compared with adults, kids are more likely to suffer dental emergencies and trauma. About one-third of children are affected by mouth and teeth injuries and it is also very common. Dental emergencies and trauma should be treated immediately, else, it may lead to various other dental and health difficulties.

Also, because of these COVID-19 restrictions in many places, most of the children are at home. While playing in a closed area, accidents may happen in common. They may even lead to a missing tooth. A dental accident can also make your kid’s teeth get chipped, cracked, or loose. To save their tooth or minimize the damage, it is important to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

If you know the essential first aid methods for pediatric dental injuries, the trauma can be minimized. Here is a list of common mouth and teeth injuries in kids and their first aid methods.

1) Knocked-out teeth

Both your kid’s baby teeth or permanent teeth can get knocked out after a fall or during play.

Primary (baby) teeth

If your kid knocks out a primary tooth, stay calm and do the following steps:

1. Identify the tooth, and hold it up using the crown or exposed surface only without touching the root.
2. Do not try to place it back into the mouth. Keep the tooth in saliva or milk for transport if you are not sure.
3. Book an appointment immediately.

Permanent teeth

Stay calm and react immediately. Try to visit the dentist within half an hour.

1. Identify the tooth and pick it up on the crown area without touching the root surface.
2. Remove the dirt by rinsing it with milk or tap water. Do not use soap or scrub it.
3. Try to reinsert the tooth back in position.
4. Bite a tissue or soft cloth or use your mouthguard or aluminum foil to hold it in place.
5. If you are unable to put back the tooth in position, keep it in the saliva or milk before visiting the dentist. Don’t store the tooth in water.

2) Mouth Bleeding

Bleeding occurs from the mouth and gums if your child gets hit in the mouth. A saltwater rinse is the simple first-aid solution for this problem. If the bleeding is heavy, visit your dentist immediately.

3) Toothache

Toothache in children can cause great trouble. This problem occurs due to various factors like chipped teeth, emerging teeth, a missing filling, tooth decay, tooth erosion, and cracked enamel. If a toothache occurs to your child:

1. Rinse the mouth with mild warm salt water to help relieve tenderness.
2. Keep an ice pack over the cheeks to reduce sharp pain.
3. Eliminate any food particles stuck in between the teeth and gums.
4. Apply Anbesol or similar pain relievers to ease off the pain.
5. If the pain occurs persistently, consult your dentist soon.

4) Tongue bite

Tongue bite is common in both adults and children. If this happens persistently find a dentist and check if there is any misalignment of your jaw and teeth. If a tongue bite causes bleeding, do a saltwater rinse until the bleeding stops. If the damage is severe or bleeding persists, book an appointment with your dentist immediately.

5) Cracked or broken tooth

When hit in the mouth or eating hard foods and candies may result in broken or cracked teeth. If you notice the teeth and gums getting discolored, then the condition is severe and needs immediate attention.

1. Try to collect all pieces of a broken tooth.
2. Rinse your child’s mouth using warm water.
3. Apply a cold pack on the damaged area.
4. Use pain relievers.

Your child may experience a mouth injury at any time, it is important to seek an emergency dental treatment. Timely treatment can prevent and save your kid’s teeth from any further problems. Whether the dental injury is minor or major, visit Amarnathan’s dental clinic for treatment.