If you have kids that participate in sports, you should be prepared to treat injuries when they happen. A ball to the face or an accidental jab with an elbow could end in a black eye or chipped tooth. While you can't do anything to fix a chipped tooth yourself, you can have an emergency dentist's number handy. Your regular dentist may not work on Saturdays or evenings, so you'll want to know where you can take your child right away for emergency dental services. Here's why.

It's Possible To Save An Injured Tooth

If you act quickly, it's possible for a dentist to save a tooth that's been knocked loose or even knocked out completely. For this to happen, you need to get to the dentist's office right away and keep the tooth moist. Try to place the tooth back in its socket if your child can tolerate it. If not, keep it moist another way such as dropping it in a glass of milk or water. Also, handle the tooth carefully so you don't damage the root. Hold it by the tip only, and if it has dirt on it, rinse it off with water but don't rub it.

The dentist has a good chance of saving the tooth depending on the type of injury. The blood supply and nerves usually can't be saved, but the bone can reattach to the tooth over time. If the bone is fractured too, that can complicate things. The dentist does a thorough examination of the injury and then cleans out the socket before reattaching the tooth. A root canal might be necessary right away or it might wait until a later time. The tooth may be splinted in place so it stays sturdy until it attaches to the bone. The process of reattachment could take several weeks, but the end result is a saved tooth, which is important for a permanent tooth.

Quick Action Can Prevent Pain

If the tooth is broken with part of it still in your child's mouth, it might be a painful situation if a nerve is exposed. This is another reason to see an emergency dentist. You don't want your child to be in pain until you can get in to see your regular dentist. Sometimes, a chipped tooth isn't painful and it only needs cosmetic work to repair it. This type of treatment may not be an emergency, but when there's pain, you want to help your child quickly.

Hopefully, you'll never need to take your child to an emergency dentist. It's always best to be prepared for an accident though when you have kids, especially when they're active in sports. Ask your regular dentist if the office provides emergency care and if they don't, then find a place near you that does so you have the number handy on your phone in case you ever need it.

Share