Dental emergencies, just like any other emergency, can be scary and stressful, especially when you aren’t sure what to do. There are different severities for dental emergencies, and through this post, we hope to help you become a little more familiar with each. It is also essential to your child’s tooth health to familiarize yourself with steps you can take during an emergency. Please continue reading to learn more about dental emergencies and what to do if your child is experiencing one. 

 

Emergencies that need Immediate Attention 

Knocked-Out Tooth: When it comes to having a tooth knocked out, regardless of if it is a baby tooth or not, we recommend giving our office a call to see Dr. Kory Bingham right away. Many parents think there is no need to see the dentist if it is a baby tooth. Coming into our office if a baby tooth is knocked out ensures that there is no other damage to the mouth. 

When an adult tooth is knocked out due to blunt force, we encourage you to locate the tooth and, if possible, place it back into the tooth’s socket. If the tooth is severely dirty, refrain from cleaning it off and then put it into a glass of milk to keep it moist. Call our office immediately and inform us of the situation. 

 

Broken Tooth: Breaking a tooth can be severely painful and leave the patient shocked. If your child has had this happen to them, our primary goal is to help them get out of pain and save their original tooth. If possible, we encourage you or the child to locate the broken piece and hold onto it for possible reattachment in our office. 

 

Loose Adult Tooth: When baby teeth become loose, it indicates that the adult tooth is ready to appear. If a baby tooth is loose, patients should not worry. If an adult tooth becomes loose, it will count as a dental emergency. 

 

Dental Issues That Don’t Require Same-Day Attention

At Rigby Pediatric Dentistry, anything that has the potential to permanently harm your teeth or other surrounding tissues we count as a minor dental emergency. Below is a list of dental issues that we recommend our patients schedule an appointment for as soon as possible. 

 

Accessed or Infected Tooth: If a tooth has become discolored and the child is complaining of tooth pain, there is a good chance that that specific tooth is or is becoming an abscessed tooth. Severely infected teeth need to be treated quickly to save the tooth from falling out. 

 

Toothache: Teeth can be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and not decay. If toothaches are constant in a specific tooth, there is a possibility that decay may be present. Only a dental professional such as Dr. Bingham can diagnose a cavity that needs treatment. 

 

Swelling, Bleeding, and Tender Gums: Gum tissues become swollen and tender even when there is the slightest presence of gum disease. Gum disease can be prevented by brushing, flossing, and eating nutritious foods. A dentist should address constant gum issues. 

 

Emergency Dental Office in Rigby

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, even patients who are diligent in taking care of their teeth. We understand how stressful and scary an emergency involving the teeth may be for a child, so our team at Rigby Pediatric Dentistry is trained and educated on how to handle any situation with grace and ease. 

If your child is experiencing any dental emergency, please call our office. We are also available to provide you with more information in a crisis.