Children’s teeth undergo multiple growth stages, including teething and losing baby teeth. These dramatic milestone events often leave parents of Tampa, FL, wondering which situations constitute pediatric dental emergencies. Westchase Smiles Institute, an emergency dentist in Tampa, FL, advises local parents about what dental emergencies look like.
Tooth Trauma
The World Health Organization states that 20% of children aged 12 and under will experience some type of dental trauma. These traumatic injuries occur following blunt force to the child’s oral cavity. This force may result in the following painful consequences:
- Lost or knocked-out tooth
- Mature loose tooth
- Chipped tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Fractured tooth
- Broken tooth
Pediatric dentists urge parents to treat these events as emergencies. Even after a seemingly harmless incident involving blunt force, parents should still seek dental and medical assistance to ensure their child didn’t incur unseen injuries. Some parents may not notice traumatic injury symptoms until much later.
Broken Jaws
Broken jaws don’t always look as dramatic as other broken bones, like legs or arms. Many Tampa parents seem surprised to learn that they could overlook their child’s broken jaw. While some jaw injuries may cause the area to appear misshapen, they can also manifest more subtle symptoms, including:
- Swollen soft tissues like gums, lips, and chin
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Difficulty speaking, eating, and breathing
- Pain when opening or closing the mouth
Parents should treat any symptoms indicative of broken jaws as pediatric dental emergencies.
Toothaches
A toothache may occur because of teething or losing baby teeth. However, some types of sensitivity are not as benign. Infections and traumatic injuries can also cause pain and sensitivity.
Additionally, some parents struggle to prevent their children from consuming too many sugary foods and drinks. Sugar increases a child’s likelihood of developing cavities, which could become infected. A parent should request an emergency appointment with a trusted Tampa dentist if their child complains of an achy tooth. They may have an infected baby tooth or another concerning issue.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Most parents can identify soft tissue injuries. Cuts and scrapes on the lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue require professional dental assistance. Oral soft tissues sometimes need different treatment methods than other flesh injuries.
If a parent suspects their child has seriously bruised or cut their oral soft tissues, the parent can:
- Thoroughly wash their hands
- Check for blood and open cuts
- Clean the area of any potentially infectious debris like dirt or food
- Gently apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding
- Instruct the child to rinse their mouth out with warm, salty water
- Contact their trusted dentist in Tampa, FL, regarding the situation
The dentist may recommend an emergency visit if the parent describes a potentially severe injury.
Westchase Smiles Institute Helps With Pediatric Dental Emergencies in Tampa, FL
Westchase Smiles Institute provides optimal dental care to people of all ages. Their team encourages parents to seek assistance following pediatric dental emergencies in Tampa, FL. The friendly staff will assist with diverse oral issues, including tooth decay, broken teeth, and soft tissue injuries.
Call Westchase Smiles Institute to schedule an appointment today or use our online contact form.
