What Qualifies as a Pediatric Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any condition that compromises the tooth’s structure or causes persistent oral bleeding or severe pain, and it needs to be treated by an emergency pediatric dentist.

Common causes of dental emergencies

A pediatric dental emergency can sometimes occur despite the parents’ best efforts. The following are common emergencies that can affect children.

Toothache

A toothache can affect children of all age groups and usually has an underlying cause. Common causes of tooth pain include tooth decay, dental trauma, tooth fractures, and wisdom teeth eruption in teenagers. Applying a cold compress can help relieve the pain temporarily, but the dentist will need to check the tooth as soon as possible.

Knocked-out tooth

If a child’s tooth gets knocked out completely, parents need to contact the pediatric dental specialist immediately because time plays a major role in the chances of saving and reimplanting the tooth. The dentist will typically not restore a knocked-out baby tooth, though, because reimplanting it may harm the tooth bud and consequently, the erupting permanent tooth.

Unless the damage is severe, the emergency pediatric dentist will always try to restore a knocked-out adult tooth. The chances of successful reimplantation are higher if done within an hour of the incident. The dentist will use a splint to hold the tooth in place until it regains hold in the jaw.

Dental intrusion

There are cases where dental trauma might force a tooth farther into the jawbone. The force is often significant enough that the tooth ligament and socket get damaged. If a dental intrusion occurs, a pediatric dental specialist should be called immediately. The dental professional will check the nature and depth of the intrusion and decide the next steps to take.

Tooth displacement

Tooth displacement can be described as a luxation, extrusion, or lateral displacement, depending on the tooth’s angle after the incident. The tooth is luxated if it stays in the socket and the pulp is intact. However, the tooth’s protrusion angle is likely unnatural, and there may be a fracture in the supporting jawbone.

Extrusion is when the tooth gets partially dislodged from its socket. In children, primary tooth extrusions usually resolve on their own without intervention. However, for permanent teeth, treatment is required to save the tooth and avoid infection.

Broken tooth

The tooth crown is the largest portion of the tooth and the most vulnerable to damage. The dentist will examine the extent of the fracture with a dental X-ray. If the tooth’s color changes, it means the inner portion of the tooth (pulp) is also affected. Minor crown fractures can be repaired with composite resin or sealants, whereas severe fractures will need pulp treatment.

Root fracture

A root fracture is a result of direct trauma and is not visible to naked eyes. If the dentist suspects a root fracture, they will need to take dental X-rays. The severity of the fracture, the tooth’s location, and the extent of discomfort will determine the next step. In worst cases, the tooth may need to be extracted.

In conclusion

When faced with a pediatric dental emergency, it is important to stay as calm as possible. Reach out to the emergency pediatric dentist immediately for help.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

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