Tooth Trouble: What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Taking care of little smiles isn’t easy. Tots and teens are bundles of joy, but they are also bound to get into trouble. And when emergencies pop up, it’s always good to know what to do. As your La Jolla pediatric dentist, Hagan Ortho + Kids Dental wants to make sure that every parent is prepared for the unexpected.

You may be wondering, “what counts as a dental emergency?” Severe pain, extreme bleeding, and tooth damage are the major signs that it’s time to pick up the phone. If you ever think that you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office at 858-754-9277. Accidents happen, and it’s always better to be safe when dealing with potential tooth trauma!

Little problems can sometimes look like big problems, especially with young children. Kids often struggle with explaining injuries and pains. For parents, it’s often hard to tell the difference between something small and something that needs urgent dental care. Knowing the big signs of a dental emergency can help you evaluate problems when they crop up. Tooth damage, uncontrolled bleeding, and serious pain are definite signs that it’s time to call your pediatric dentist.

Cracking or losing a tooth is always an emergency, especially with adult teeth. Skateboarding, surfing, and falling are fun – but are all common causes of knocking a tooth loose (especially for our little ones!). The secret to saving a lost tooth is to find it and call your dentist as soon as possible. Saving the tooth and looking for more dental damage is the first priority!

Bleeding can be a symptom of a damaged tooth, but it can also occur when there is trauma to the jaw or a serious bite on the inside of the mouth. Uncontrolled bleeding should never be ignored, so pick up the phone if you have trouble slowing down the bleeding.

Similarly, extreme dental discomfort and pain is another sign that your child needs urgent dental care. Swelling and sharp pains when eating, drinking, or touching the jaw can mean that your little one has an infection, dental damage, or a broken jaw. Don’t hesitate to call your pediatric dentist if your child also complains about ear pressure or pain as well as a toothache – an indication of a severe infection.

Accidents happen – and cracked teeth, bleeding, severe infections, and extreme dental discomfort are just a few emergencies that can appear. Keeping a smile on our little one’s face is one of the most important things for a parent – so how can you avoid urgent dental problems? One of the easiest ways to prevent problems is through proper oral care. Healthy teeth have strong enamel, the best defense against fractures, toothaches, infections, and more! Good dental hygiene and regular visits to your La Jolla pediatric dentist can keep emergencies at bay. In addition, make sure that you child uses safety equipment for outdoor sports and activities – especially mouthguards. Small smiles stay safe by protecting them today and tomorrow!

Whether it’s surfing, biking, skating, or taking a tumble in the house, silly accidents can leave lasting damage. Protect happy, healthy smiles by calling our La Jolla kids dental office whenever you think you might have an emergency. Your little one’s grin is our top priority, so don’t hesitate to call when you need urgent dental care for your smallest family members!