Emergency Oral Care in VA Beach

Emergency Oral Care For Existing Patients

At Beach Kids Dentistry, we understand that emergency oral care situations can happen at any time, and when they do, we’re here to provide our existing patients with the prompt and compassionate care they need. Your child’s oral health is our top priority, and we want to ensure you are well-prepared to handle dental emergencies.

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Immediate Action for Emergency Oral Care

In case of a dental emergency, here are the steps you should take as an existing patient of Beach Kids Dentistry:

Contact Us: Reach out to our dedicated team at 757-467-7797 if a dental emergency occurs. We will assess the situation and provide guidance on the next steps to be taken.
After-Hours Emergencies: If the emergency happens outside our regular business hours, you will be directed to contact the dentist on call. Our doctors are part of a local group of pediatric dental specialists who take turns handling after-hour emergency calls.
Head Trauma: If the dental emergency involves head trauma resulting in any loss of consciousness, please contact your child’s physician or head to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Managing Bleeding: Injuries to the mouth may appear more severe due to the mixing of blood with saliva. Exert gentle but consistent pressure using a clean towel or gauze for a duration of 10 minutes, maintaining it until the bleeding ceases. Then, focus on the teeth and other oral injuries, looking for any broken or missing teeth. Often, X-rays are necessary for a complete diagnosis to rule out injuries to the teeth or jaw.

Understanding Emergency Oral Care

Dealing with dental emergencies can be stressful, but the right response can make all the difference. Some common dental emergencies your child might encounter include:

Dealing with with dental avulsion

If your child is in a situation that forces a baby tooth to come out, don’t re-insert it. Contact our office for a check. For permanent teeth, call us immediately; if it’s after hours or you’re away, head to the nearest emergency room. Handle the tooth by the crown, never the root, rinse the tooth and try to re-insert it if intact. If not, store it in cold milk or saliva, and call us promptly to improve the chances of saving the tooth.

Cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek

After a cut or bite to the tongue, lip, or cheek, gently clean the area with a damp cloth. To reduce or prevent swelling, apply a cold compress (a cold, damp towel or washcloth) to the affected area. If the bleeding is heavy and doesn’t stop, consider visiting your local urgent care center or emergency room.

Fractured or chipped tooth

For a fractured or chipped tooth from an accident, get prompt dental care for X-rays and evaluation. If you have the broken fragment, save it and check for embedded pieces. Apply pressure to control bleeding, rinse the mouth with warm water, and keep it clean. A cold compress can reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain meds can help. Treatment options vary based on the fracture’s severity, potentially including bonding, crowns, veneers, root canal, or extraction.

Toothache

Clean the affected area thoroughly and rinse with warm water. Look for any signs of swelling, inflammation, holes in the teeth, or abscesses. Use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be stuck between teeth. If pain persists, apply a cold compress but avoid using heat or topical pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain medication for children can be used. It’s essential to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.

Displaced tooth

In accidents, baby or permanent teeth may be displaced. Please contact us in order to assess whether treatment is necessary. Baby teeth may re-position themselves naturally, but sometimes re-positioning or extraction may be necessary. Permanent teeth often require an evaluation to determine severity and the necessary treatment.

Dark or discolored teeth

Dark or discolored teeth can result from nerve damage, often appearing weeks to months after an accident. Please inform us of any changes to your child’s teeth, so we can closely monitor and provide treatment as needed.

Jaw fracture

If you suspect a broken jaw, use a cold compress to reduce swelling and keep the jaw from moving. Immediate medical attention is required in cases of a broken jaw, which can often result from head trauma. Severe head injuries can be dangerous and even life-threatening. You should contact/proceed to your local emergency room.

Reduce Your Child’s Risk for Emergency Oral Care

While accidents are not always preventable, there are some steps you can take to minimize your child’s risk of an oral emergency. These include:

Encourage the use of protective athletic gear, including mouth guards.
Ensure proper child safety measures, such as securing children in booster seats, car seats, or seat belts.
Child-proof your home to minimize hazards.
Discourage children from walking around with objects in their mouths.
Avoid rough play in confined or slippery areas.

Peace of Mind in Emergency Oral Care: Contact Beach Kids Dentistry Today

Your child’s well-being is our top priority, and we are here to provide support and emergency oral care when needed. At Beach Kids Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring your child’s smile remains bright and healthy. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to contact us. Your existing patient status gives you access to our immediate assistance, so you can have peace of mind knowing that we’re just a call away.

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Sea The Beach Kids Dentistry Difference

We believe that a lifetime of healthy smiles begins with a positive and fun dental experience. Our kid-friendly office and experienced dentists are here to provide compassionate, patient-focused and specialized pediatric dental care.

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