Consulting an Emergency Pediatric Dentist About a Tooth Infection

In the event of a dental emergency, parents can turn to an emergency pediatric dentist for smile-saving treatments. These dental professionals can promptly treat tooth infections to save the tooth or, in severe cases, pull the tooth to save nearby teeth. Either method of clearing the infection should also relieve pain and discomfort in the long run.

Understanding pediatric dental emergencies

A pediatric dental emergency is anything that compromises the health of a child’s tooth. Treating it as soon as possible can prevent the loss of the tooth and general health problems. For example, the pediatric dentist can address a tooth infection before it spreads to other surrounding teeth and the mouth.

Types of tooth infections and their symptoms

There are different types of tooth infections, or abscessed teeth. According to Healthline, the most common are periapical abscesses, which affect the tooth root at its tip, and periodontal abscesses, which affect the gum tissue near the tooth root. Gingival abscesses are also common and bring many of the same symptoms. However, they are an infection of the gums, not the teeth. Pediatric dentists can help with gingival abscesses, as well.

As per Healthline, symptoms of dental abscesses include but are not limited to:

• Pain and sensitivity in and around the face and tooth
• Pain that worsens when lying down, chewing, or biting
• Swollen, red gums or face
• Bad breath or taste in the mouth
• Loose teeth
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever

The more severe the symptoms, the more important it is to contact an emergency pediatric dentist for treatment.

When a tooth infection is a dental emergency

Tooth infections are considered dental emergencies when they cause persistent excruciating pain that does not improve with over-the-counter medications like children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Other signs include persistent inflammation of the nearby gum tissue and pus leaking from the area. The tooth itself may ache to the point that it feels unbearable.

Why see an emergency pediatric dentist for a dental abscess?

An emergency pediatric dentist will work to remove the infection and restore oral health with possible treatment options such as:

• Draining the abscess
• Removing infected tissue through root canal therapy
• Prescribing oral antibiotics to thoroughly clear the infection
• Restoring the tooth’s functionality with a dental crown or other restoration

If the infection is severe, a tooth extraction may be the best option. The emergency pediatric dentist can perform an extraction to prevent the infection from worsening and spreading to other teeth. They can also provide recommendations for tooth replacements once the extraction site has healed.

When to seek treatment at the ER

If the dental abscess is causing a high fever and swelling that makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, call 911 or visit the closest emergency room (ER). Emergency medical staff will work to bring the infection under control. Then, they will likely refer the patient to an emergency pediatric dentist to restore or extract the tooth.