Specialized and Emergency Pediatric Dentistry Services in Northern Colorado
Types of Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Parents often find themselves unsure of what to do when their child experiences a dental emergency. At Big Grins Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help you confidently navigate these situations. Familiarize yourself with common pediatric dental emergencies and know when to seek urgent attention:
- Dental Abscess Accompanied by Facial Swelling: If your child experiences facial swelling along with a dental abscess, it could indicate a serious infection requiring immediate attention. Symptoms such as fever and lethargy should not be ignored.
- Viral Herpetic Cold Sore: These painful blisters around the mouth are highly contagious and may require antiviral medication for relief.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Whether primary or permanent, a knocked-out tooth requires prompt dental care. Follow specific instructions for transporting the tooth safely to our office for potential re-implantation.
Specialized Pediatric Dentistry & Protection
- Soft Tissue Mouth Trauma: At Big Grins Pediatric Dentistry, we specialize in treating soft tissue mouth trauma, providing immediate care and effective solutions for injuries to the lips, gums, tongue, and cheeks. Soft tissue mouth injuries can occur from a variety of causes, including sports injuries or accidents.
- Dental Infections: We offer comprehensive treatments for dental infections, addressing conditions such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease to restore optimal oral health. Dental caries, also known as cavities, is the most common type of dental infection.
- Sports Mouth Guards: Our expertise extends to providing custom-made sports mouth guards, offering personalized protection for children during physical activities to prevent dental injuries and maintain their winning smiles.
Big Grins Education Corner (FAQs):
What Should You Do During a Dental Emergency?
During a dental emergency, deciding what to do first, second, third, and so on can be hard. Start by getting help from the dentist. Call (970) 407-1020.
If your child has just lost a permanent tooth: hold the tooth by the crown (not by the root), then wash it off with saliva, sterile saline solution, or milk. If your child can, have them put the tooth back in the hole where it came from. If your child is unable to do this, the safest place to put the tooth is in their cheek. Call the dentist as soon as possible, and get your child to the dentist within 20 minutes or less. Your child’s dentist may be able to save the tooth!
What Is Soft Tissue Mouth Trauma?
Soft tissue mouth trauma is when any of the soft tissues in your child’s mouth are injured. The soft tissues include the lips, gums, tongue, hard palate, cheeks, and the floor of the mouth. These soft tissues are made up of blood vessels, so when they are injured, they bleed easily and excessively.
How Does a Mouth Guard Protect Your Child’s Teeth?
When your child wears a sports mouth guard, it will protect not only their teeth, but also other areas of the mouth. Most sports mouth guards will cover only the top teeth, but some athletes wear a lower guard if they have braces on their teeth. The most common injuries that occur when not wearing a sports mouth guard are broken or chipped teeth, but if your child does wear braces, a lower guard will also keep your child’s gums, tongue, and cheeks from being injured.