What Warrants a Trip to an Emergency Pediatric Dentist

Emergency pediatric dentists are crucial in swiftly addressing conditions that immediately threaten your child's oral health. These situations, whether they stem from a sudden incident or gradually develop physical symptoms, can catch parents and children off guard. Let us delve into five compelling reasons why you should contact our office without delay if they occur.

1. Abscesses or sores

An abscess or sore can develop in patients of all ages, including infants. It is a grave infection that forms in the gumline surrounding the teeth. Parents might notice pus accumulating in a specific area, a clear sign of bacterial accumulation. Abscesses are typically a slow burn, forming deep inside the gumline before becoming apparent. There might be no pain initially, but pain and swelling will ensue later. If left untreated, an abscess can spread to the rest of the body, causing irreversible damage and impacting the child's development and overall health. Our emergency pediatric dentist will promptly drain the wound and provide antibiotics to eliminate the infection from the body.

Other sores, such as canker and cold sores, are equally serious. Canker sores, while not contagious, are excruciating for children and develop on the soft tissues in the mouth, such as the inner lip and cheeks. Cold sores may not cause pain, but they are contagious. Both infections require antibiotics as soon as possible to halt their progression to other parts of the mouth and body.

2. Broken teeth

The five types of broken teeth are craze lines, broken cusps, cracked teeth, vertical root fractures, and split teeth. Some are less serious than others, such as craze lines, which cause no serious threat and often go unnoticed. Others can be seen by the naked eye, such as broken cusps and cracked teeth. However, vertical root fractures and split teeth may require an X-ray to diagnose properly.

No matter the type, it is important for parents to contact the emergency pediatric dentist when they become aware of a break. Leaving a baby or adult broken tooth untreated, regardless of associated pain, can compromise the inner housing for connective tissue and nerves called the pulp chamber. Once the area becomes compromised, it can result in infection and more extensive damage and treatments.

3. Dental intrusion

Dental intrusions are a painful condition that results from a tooth forcing its way into the socket, tearing through ligaments and the alveolar bone. It is obvious and can be seen by the naked eye, and it may even be tempting for parents to try to pull the tooth down. However, it is important not to mess with the area, aside from applying a cold compress, as doing so can result in the alveolar bone and ligament tearing. Contact the emergency pediatric dentist immediately, as they will need to reposition the tooth safely and return it to its original position; if it has made its way to another tooth's socket, extraction may be necessary.

4. Dull or sharp pain

Toothaches of any kind are a sign of an underlying issue, such as decay that reaches the pulp chamber or roots, an infection, or a fracture. Do not wait for the symptoms to dissipate on their own, as this can worsen the issue and cause more unnecessary pain for the child. Contact the emergency pediatric dentist immediately if the child complains of pain when drinking, eating, or brushing.

5. Trauma or impact

Blows to the mouth are common during childhood. Unfortunately, this means accidents such as knocked-out teeth and bloody mouths can occur. In the event of either situation, contact an emergency pediatric dentist. Save the knocked-out tooth in milk, along with the socket or gum tissue that may be attached. The pediatric dentist may be able to save the tooth if given enough time. For bloody mouths that seemingly have no fractures, contact the dentist immediately. This can result from torn ligaments, which can cause pain and tooth loss over time.