How to Handle Dental Emergencies
December 3, 2008 by rainier
Child care providers should be prepared to handle dental emergencies. A pediatric dental health consultant can train staff in the proper way to handle a variety of problems.
Following are some basic guidelines:
• Toothache: Call parent. Suggest that the child see a dentist as soon as possible.
• Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek:Apply ice to the bruised area. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a small clean piece of cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or cannot be controlled with pressure, take the child to a hospital emergency room and notify the parent immediately.
• Knocked-out Permanent Tooth: Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root. The tooth may be rinsed, but do not clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert it in its socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a small clean piece of cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, transport it in a cup containing milk. The child should see a dentist immediately.
• Broken Tooth: Rinse dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. If any piece of tooth can not be accounted for, a chest x-ray is mandated to rule-out aspiration of a tooth fragment into the child’s airway. The child should see a dentist immediately.
• Possible Broken Jaw: If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep it from moving by using a towel or handkerchief. Take the child to a hospital emergency room.
• Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out:Fold and pack 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, the child should see a dentist. Oral health and physical health are inseparable. By making sure children have a dental home, tapping into the expertise of a pediatric dental health consultant, and incorporating dental health into employee health screenings,child care providers can play a valuable role in safeguarding this essential aspect of children’s well-being.
