No parent wants to see their child in pain. Parents certainly don’t want their child to need emergency care. Unfortunately, emergencies happen, including dental emergencies. That’s why Kinder Smiles has an emergency dentist for kids in Bergen County who can and will provide the immediate treatment your child needs.
Understanding emergency care and what is an emergency will help parents determine if they should seek immediate treatment for their child.
What Is An Emergency Dentist For Kids?
An emergency dentist for kids is a dentist who provides immediate care to patients who require urgent attention. Dr. Darryl Engel at Kinder Smiles in Bergen County is an emergency dentist for kids with years of experience and training to handle just about any dental emergency. Dr. Engel holds a specialty license in pediatric dentistry in New Jersey and New York. His approach is to treat every child as an individual to provide for their unique needs.
What Is Considered An Emergency?
According to the American Dental Association, a dental emergency is a life-threatening condition that demands immediate attention from a medical or dental professional and cannot wait for a regular appointment. We understand that seeing your child in pain is heartbreaking, but not every situation requires emergency treatment.
However, Kinder Smiles in Bergen County is here to help parents care for their child whether the problem is an emergency or something that can wait.
Is Your Child In Pain And Why?
Sometimes it’s easy to tell when your child is in pain. But sometimes it’s not so obvious. That’s why it’s important to observe your child and have the ability to recognize non-verbal clues that they aren’t feeling well. Perhaps the child has difficulty speaking or chewing. Maybe they wince while eating something cold or hot because of heightened sensitivity. Your child may also feel shame and doesn’t want to say anything.
One of the best things parents can teach their children is to not be afraid to talk to them if something is wrong. So, how should parents react to certain dental problems?
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Severe Pain
Pain is the worst symptom of a dental problem. It can come and go or it can be constant. Regardless, you should contact Kinder Smiles as soon as possible.
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Lost Baby Tooth
A lost baby tooth is usually a big deal because it signals that a permanent tooth is erupting. However, it can cause some pain and bleeding. You can apply a cold compress to deal with the pain and you can take steps to stop the bleeding using damp cotton gauze. Bleeding is typically minor, but you should contact us if it doesn’t stop.
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Lost Adult Tooth
Losing an adult tooth for any reason requires immediate attention, which we will get into in more detail further below.
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Loose Teeth
Loose adult teeth can be a sign of underlying health issues that require immediate care.
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Bleeding Gums While Brushing
It’s not necessarily an emergency, but bleeding gums while brushing is a cause for concern and you should make an appointment with your child’s dentist to explore the cause. It could be as simple as your child brushing too hard or not thoroughly enough. Or it could be a sign of a more urgent problem.
A Guide For Parents
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Infection
Signs of infection include fever, pain, swelling, and redness. Never ignore these signs because an infection can spread to other parts of the body. This is definitely a time to seek emergency treatment.
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Toothache
Toothaches can be minor or severe depending on the cause and how long it has been going on without treatment. Your child may not tell you about it so it’s important for parents to understand the signs of pain or discomfort and ask them about it. An oral analgesic or over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen (NOT ASPIRIN) will help alleviate the pain so it can usually wait for an appointment. However, severe pain requires emergency care.
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Stuck Food
Food can become stuck between teeth or within your child’s braces, causing irritation and even pain. It’s possible you might be able to dislodge it with our help over the phone if necessary. But if you can’t do it yourself, schedule an appointment.
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Bleeding And Swelling
Bleeding and swelling can be signs of more urgent problems that need emergency care. If your child has a swollen jaw, call Kinder Smiles immediately. We will either get your child in to see Dr. Engel or instruct you to go to the emergency room.
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Nerve Exposure
Nerve exposure can be a painful experience. It may start out minor, but could become an emergency if you don’t seek treatment in a timely manner. Watch your child closely while they are eating something cold like ice cream or a popsicle. They may wince from nerve sensitivity. At the very least, this is worthy of an appointment.
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Abscess
An abscess is an infection that demands emergency care. Signs include fever, swelling, sensitivity, toothache, and a pimple-like sore or bump near the infected tooth that can ooze pus. This will not go away on its own. See an emergency dentist for kids right away.
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Knocked-Out Or Broken Tooth
One of the most common emergencies kids experience is a knocked out or broken tooth. Kids often play rough, especially during sports activities. Needless to say, impacts occur. If your child lost a tooth, collect the tooth by the crown and gently rinse it off. Don’t use toothpaste or soap and don’t scrub. Try to insert the tooth back into the socket if you can. If not, place it in a small container of milk to protect it and keep it moist. Seek emergency dental care right away. Dr. Engel can potentially save the tooth if he treats your child within 30 minutes.
Preventative Care
To prevent the need for emergency care, parents should make sure their child regularly brushes and flosses thoroughly. Restrict sugary foods and drinks when possible. Schedule regular checkups and cleanings so Dr. Engel can examine your teeth and spot potential problems early. Make sure your child wears a mouthguard during sports activities.
Contact Us!
Kinder Smiles in Bergen County is ready to provide emergency treatment to children if and when they need it. If you think your child needs immediate treatment, call our office first at 551-210-4012. It’s possible we can help you over the phone or your child’s problem can wait for a regular appointment. If not, we will instruct you to bring them in for treatment right away and will be ready when you arrive.
The most important thing to remember is to not panic. Panicking only makes emergencies worse. We understand your concern for your child’s health and we are here to help.