Many children experience occasional tooth pain. However, not every situation is a dental emergency requiring immediate care. This blog will break down the types of children’s toothaches and share which ones need emergency care.
Dull Ache: Not an Emergency
If your child has a dull toothache, it can likely wait for regular office hours. Your dentist will still want to see your child to address any cavities or tooth sensitivity.
Tooth Growing In: Not an Emergency
Sometimes, the eruption of permanent teeth can cause the gums to feel sore. This situation is not an emergency, and you can control it with ice packs or over-the-counter medication.
Any Ache Accompanied by Symptoms of Illness: Emergency
If your child experiences a severe toothache, fever, body aches, or any other physical symptoms, this should be considered a dental emergency. Your child may have an infected tooth or an abscess.
Extreme Sensitivity to Heat and/or Cold: Emergency
When children’s teeth experience extreme sensitivity to temperature, parents should seek emergency dental care right away. This symptom may indicate that your child requires a pulpotomy or root canal treatment, depending on their age and the severity of their symptoms.
Pain that Prevents Your Child from Sleeping or Relaxing: Emergency
Any tooth pain that is severe enough to disturb your child’s rest or daily activities should receive dental attention as soon as possible.
Knocked-Out or Dislodged Tooth: Emergency
When children play sports or games, they may lose teeth. This situation is not uncommon, especially with baby teeth. However, your pediatric dentist will want to see your child right away to ensure other teeth have not incurred damage. A dentist cannot replant a baby tooth due to the risk of damaging the permanent tooth that will eventually replace it. If you save a knocked-out permanent tooth and bring your child to the dentist immediately, your dentist may be able to replant and preserve the natural tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentistry
How do I receive emergency dental care for my child?
Call your pediatric dentist immediately. During office hours, your child will receive priority for an appointment. After office hours, New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry will return your call, answer your questions, or arrange immediate care.
What happens if my child’s baby tooth falls out too soon?
Depending on the child’s age and the position of the lost tooth, your pediatric dentist may install a space maintainer in the gap to prevent other teeth from shifting into it. If healthy teeth drift into the open area, they could prevent your child’s permanent teeth from proper eruption. In some situations, your dentist may monitor the knocked-out tooth but does not need to intervene.
New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry provides timely emergency care and routine pediatric dental care for your child. We believe in supporting the youngest members of our community and their parents for a lifelong healthy smile. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.