 |
You and Your Child
First Aid
Toothache
Clean
the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously
with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or
debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If face
is swollen, apply a cold compress. Take acetaminophen for pain and see
a dentist as soon as possible.
Cut
or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Apply
ice to bruise areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure
with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes
or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to a hospital
emergency room.
Knocked
Out Permanent Tooth
Find
the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion.
You may rinse the tooth, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily.
Try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place
by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth,
transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or water. See a dentist
IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Broken
Braces and Wires
If a
broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot,
cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze, or chewing
gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue, DO NOT remove
it. Take the child to a dentist immediately. Loose or broken appliances
which do not bother the child don't usually require emergency attention.
Broken
Tooth
Rinse
dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the
face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments.
Immediate dental attention is necessary.
Bleeding
After Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold
and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child
bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This may be repeated
once; if bleeding persists, see a dentist.
Cold/Canker
Sores
Many
children occasionally suffer from "cold" or "canker"
sores. Usually over-the-counter preparations give relief or apply vitamin
E oil on lesion a few times daily. Because some serious diseases may
begin as sores, it is important to have a dental evaluation if these
sores persist.
Mouth
Guards for Sports Safety
Prevention
is the Key
A professionally made, properly fitted mouth guard can prevent or minimize
sports related dental injuries to your child. It is highly recommended
that for any contact sport (especially basketball, baseball, and soccer)
where there are high incidents of serious injuries during practice that
professionally made mouth guards be used.
If you want more information, please feel free to contact us
|
