When Does Your Child Need to Visit an Emergency Pediatric Dentist

Your child has a toothache, and you don’t know what to do.

You are not alone! Toothaches can happen at any age, but they are more common in children between the ages of 3-8 years old. If your child is experiencing pain or discomfort from their teeth, you must immediately take them to an emergency pediatric dentist.

It’s never a good idea to wait until something is too late. If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be time for an appointment.

In this article, we’ll help you understand when to take your child in for emergency care.

Toothache

If your child is complaining about a toothache, then you should consider looking for a pediatric dentist near me.

Dental pain can be uncomfortable for children (or anyone else), and they will likely be very frustrated that they have to deal with the situation. Toothaches, in general, aren’t always serious. But they are painful for the patient and could lead to other dental problems if not treated immediately.

There might also be other symptoms accompanying this pain, such as swelling of gums, bleeding, or discharge from any wounds surrounding the teeth. These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem than a simple toothache. So, heed them and contact emergency dental specialists.

Unusual Odor

This symptom can be pretty obvious, but it’s still something that emergency pediatric dentists see daily. If you notice an unusual odor coming from your child’s mouth, then they may have dental caries or periodontal disease. This is because these conditions cause foul-smelling breath due to the excess bacteria in the mouth.

The smell could also indicate an infection present in your child’s gums or other parts of their teeth. If not treated immediately, these infections are severe and could lead to sepsis, which has life-threatening effects.

So, if you notice anything unusual when your child talks or eats, take them to a kids’ dentist near me right away.

Bad Bite

Serious dental problems usually cause bad bites. When the teeth don’t meet properly, it can cause their jaw to become misaligned, damaging other areas of the body such as the neck.

If you notice that your child has a bad bite or has other head and neck pain, take them in for emergency dental care.

Lose Baby Teeth

If you notice that your child’s baby teeth are falling out prematurely, then you should consult emergency pediatric dentistry immediately. Children usually lose their primary teeth around the ages of 5-7. But if they start losing these teeth before then, it could be a sign of a medical emergency.

This could be caused by an infection in the mouth, jaw misalignment, or other dental diseases. These issues will likely cause serious discomfort for your child, and emergency dental doctors can help them address the issue as soon as possible.

Injury to the Mouth

If you notice your child has a cut in the mouth or have lost a tooth from a physical injury, emergency dental specialists will help you ensure that everything is okay.

It’s best to treat this type of emergency as soon as possible because cuts in the mouth could get infected quickly and lead to serious consequences if not treated immediately. If your child loses one or more teeth due to an injury, emergency pediatric dentists can give them a new smile right away.

Deformity of the Face

Children’s faces are still developing and growing, so it is normal for them to have a few issues with their teeth. But if you see that your child has a deformity such as an abnormally long face, then emergency dental specialists can address the problem immediately before it becomes any worse.

They may be able to make adjustments or even help straighten facial structures so that your child can enjoy a proper smile and facial appearance.

Discomfort When Eating

If your child doesn’t like eating because they experience discomfort whenever they do, emergency pediatric dentists can help them find relief. They will examine your child’s bite and determine whether there is something underlying causing jaw pain when chewing food.

Painful Swallowing

If your child has to struggle when swallowing, it could mean that they have an underlying dental problem. Swallowing issues can stem from various problems such as swollen gums, misaligned teeth, or even bacteria in the mouth.

The emergency pediatric dentists will check up and see if there is an underlying issue causing this problem. If there is, then emergency dental experts can treat it right away so your child can enjoy better oral health.

Blood in Mouth

If you notice blood in your child’s mouth, emergency pediatric dentistry will be able to help them get the attention they need. Sometimes, children might accidentally bite their lip or cheek, and it can cause a wound that bleeds for some time.

In other cases, this could mean a serious dental problem that emergency dental specialists can correct right away.

Bruxism (Teeth-Grinding)

Bruxism refers to the habit of grinding one’s teeth during sleep. This grinding can lead to broken tooth enamel, chipped teeth, or even more serious issues such as headaches or jaw pain. If any of these symptoms occur in children, emergency pediatric dental care should probably be considered.

Visit an Emergency Pediatric Dentist on Time

Emergency pediatric dentistry should be available for children of all ages. Just because your child is a baby or toddler does not mean that they should have to suffer through a dental problem.

If you notice any of the issues listed above, an emergency pediatric dentist can take care of the matter right away. Your child can then enjoy better oral health and comfort in no time.

We hope you found this article helpful. For more information, keep reading our articles.