Adventure Accidents: When Your Child Needs an Emergency Dentist | Cullman, AL

Kids will be kids, and accidents often happen alongside adventure. Little ones have oral health mishaps all the time – at school, at home, or on the playground.

Don’t worry, parents – dental emergencies happen! Take a look at our quick guide to understand what counts as a dental emergency and the steps you can take when a dental disaster strikes.

If you’re looking for an emergency dental provider for your child in Cullman, AL, we’ve got you covered! Dr. Cat and our team are here (just down the road at our Cullman pediatric dental office) for every family facing an unforeseen dental emergency.

What is a Dental Emergency?

Not every bump or bruise requires a trip to the ER – and the same goes for what will require urgent dental care.

When deciding to contact an emergency dentist, here are some common signs that you and your little one’s small smile will need someone to provide emergency dental services:

• Severe Toothache & Toothaches with Swelling
• Large Chips & Cracks
• Excessive Bleeding
• Jaw Pain

Situations that don’t require your emergency dentist include lost fillings (without pain), broken mouth guards, minor tooth sensitivity, and small chips. In these cases, you’ll be able to wait for normal business hours.

Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies in Cullman, AL

Extreme emergency dental situations can happen to anyone, no matter how careful you are.

Make sure you know what to do when your little one needs emergency dental service. There are a few things that you can do at home in response to a tooth injury – keep this handy guide on basic dental procedures on your fridge for quick reference!

With any kind of emergency, it’s important to call your local dentist immediately. If you need a pediatric dentist in Cullman, AL, S’more Smiles is here for you!

Knocked-Out Tooth (Baby or Permanent)

If a permanent tooth or baby tooth is knocked out, don’t panic.

Baby teeth won’t need to be replanted, but emergency dentists can prevent discomfort and infection. Don’t worry about searching for the tooth – it’s better to rinse their mouth with cold water, apply a compress, and comfort them.

When a permanent tooth is knocked out, immediate dental care can save the tooth! Find the tooth and rinse it off gently, making sure to only hold it by the crown. Then, you can either place the tooth back in the socket (applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth) or place it in a container of milk until you get to the emergency dental facility.

Severe Tooth Pain

A bad toothache should be treated sooner, not later. A tooth abscess or severe tooth decay could require a filling, tooth extraction, or other medical attention.

Does your child have a painful swelling filled with pus? This can be icky – and dangerous! This is an abscessed tooth, which comes with infection, fever, sensitivity, and swelling. Without immediate medical attention, the infection can severely damage surrounding tissue and cause lasting problems.

In the meantime, give your little one child-safe ibuprofen and apply a cold compress. Rinsing with warm water can also help with the pain until you see your urgent-care dentist.

Bleeding

With excessive bleeding of the gums or lip, an emergency room visit may be needed to stop the bleeding or treat an infection. Clean the area and apply pressure while you contact your dentist – if you require dental assistance but can’t reach your dentist in Cullman, AL, most emergency rooms can help with these kinds of dental issues.

Swollen Jaw

A swollen jaw can be caused by an infection, an injury, or a broken bone – and it comes with a lot of pain. This is definitely a dental emergency – apply a cold compress and call us ASAP!

Broken jaws can come along with blows to the head, chipped teeth, broken teeth, and other issues. Take care of the cracked tooth or broken tooth by finding any pieces and treating them like you would knocked-out teeth!

Seeking Emergency Dental Services in Cullman, AL? Call Us!

If you need an emergency dentist in Cullman, AL, for your child, you don’t need to search for an emergency walk-in dentist. We’ve got you covered! When you’re facing a problem that can’t wait until tomorrow, just pick up the phone – you can call or text us to report your dental emergencies directly to Dr. Cat at S’more Smiles.

Our office is always here to make sure Cullman’s small smiles stay bright, happy, and healthy. We can also take care of all your dental needs – including preventative care, check-ups, and treatment. New patients can call today to get started!