Rewinding the Years: Dental Care Tips for Older Adults

According to one source, nearly 50% of kids will experience a tooth injury. While these can occur for several common reasons, sports are one of the major causes. When kids play sports, they have a higher chance of encountering a tooth injury. Of course, there are ways to prevent this. Yet, they still occur. So what should you do if your child experiences a tooth injury? Here is a guide to help you understand what to do and why you need to act quickly. 

Learn what constitutes an emergency

First, you might wonder how to tell if you have an emergency. After all, many tooth injuries can occur, but they're not all emergencies. You can know if it's an emergency by a few signs. The first sign is a knocked-out tooth. When an injury occurs that forces a tooth out, it's an emergency. Secondly, a loose permanent tooth is also an emergency. Loose teeth need dental care immediately to prevent them from falling out. These are the two most common tooth emergencies, but there might be others.

Call an emergency dentist

Next, call an emergency dentist before going there. You'll need an emergency dentist, but you should let them know you're coming. Emergency dental clinics are not open 24 hours a day. But many open when needed, so calling lets them know you need their services. As a result, they might open up to address your child's tooth emergency. When you call, they'll ask some questions about the injury. Then, they'll give you tips to handle the problem while waiting to see a dentist. For example, if your child's tooth fell out, they'll suggest bringing the tooth with you to the appointment. They might be able to put the tooth back in place.

Visit the dentist

When you arrive for the emergency services, the dentist will begin by examining the situation. They must know what they're dealing with before treating the problem. Next, they might take X-rays to see the roots and jawbone. Next, they'll determine a treatment option. The treatment plan depends on the problem and situation. The dentist will try to save the tooth. However, this isn't always possible. If it's not, they'll offer options for replacing it.

Visit an emergency dentist

You might not need emergency dental services often. But you might need them at some point. You can follow the tips here if you encounter a dental emergency.

Contact a local dentist to learn more about emergency dental care for kids.