Emergency Kids’ Dentistry – Papillion, NE
Emergency Children’s Dentistry for Gnarly Wipeouts
Whether your little one is complaining of minor oral discomfort or knocked out one of their teeth playing with friends, we recommend that parents call us immediately. In many cases, the sooner an out-of-the-ordinary oral issue is addressed, the less invasive of a procedure is required to fix it. That’s why we encourage parents to keep our number programed in their phones for emergency kids' dentistry in Papillion, NE, just in case the unexpected happens!
Why Choose Surf's Up Pediatric Dentistry for Emergency Kids’ Dentistry?
- Same-Day & Weekend Emergency Appointments Available
- Experienced, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- We Accept Dental Insurance
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
- Over-the-Phone Guidance: When you call our dental office, we’ll have you explain the situation and provide you with first-aid advice to help ease your little one’s pain and minimize their risk of experiencing additional oral damage. We’ll then schedule an appointment for them so they receive care as soon as possible.
- Thorough Examination: When your child arrives, we’ll help them get comfortable in the treatment chair. If they’re in pain, we may administer a local anesthetic. If necessary, we’ll capture X-rays and Dr. Bryce will thoroughly examine their mouth to diagnose the issue at-hand.
- Creating & Executing a Treatment Plan: Based on our findings during the emergency examination, Dr. Bryce will put together and explain a treatment plan to help restore your little one’s smile and oral health. Once we answer any questions you have and consent, we’ll work quickly to execute it.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
If your child is facing any of the dental emergencies listed below, you can click on the icon to view how we recommend preparing them for their visit and what you can do to ease their discomfort until you reach our dental office.
Understanding the Cost of Children’s Dental Emergencies
The cost of your child’s dental emergency examination and treatment will depend on a variety of factors that will be unique to their situation, including what type of procedures they may require, whether they need dental X-rays. Our team is happy to accept and file all dental insurance claims to help you maximize your insurance benefits.
Keys to Preventing Children’s Dental Emergencies
As a parent, you would probably prefer to prevent your child from ever having a dental emergency in the first place. While it’s not possible to avoid every dental accident or oral health issue, you can significantly reduce your child’s risk by making sure their smiles are well-taken care of. Below are some tips for avoiding dental emergencies; feel free to ask Dr. Bryce for further advice during your child’s next checkup.
Bring Them to the Dentist Regularly
Just like adults, children should visit their dentist once every six months. During these preventive appointments, we can check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems that can turn into emergencies if they’re left alone for too long. We’ll also remove any plaque or tartar that has accumulated in your child’s mouth before they can lead to more serious issues.
Help Them Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home
Children need to start learning good oral hygiene habits early; that way, by the time they’re adults, taking care of their smiles will be second nature. Make sure that your child is brushing and flossing thoroughly every day; this helps get rid of many of the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and other potential emergencies. You should supervise your little one’s brushing and flossing sessions until you’re sure that they can do it on their own.
Make Sure They Stick to a Nutritious Diet
The foods your child eats daily can have a significant impact on their oral health. Too many sugary or starchy foods can put them at risk for severe dental decay or infections. On the other hand, crunchy fruits and vegetables, fat-free dairy products, and leafy greens like lettuce and spinach can go a long way toward helping them maintain a healthy, happy grin.
Have Them Wear a Mouthguard
It’s wonderful for your child to have a sport they love to play, but unfortunately, it’s all too common for athletes to break or lose teeth while on the court or field. Giving your child a high-quality mouthguard to wear can help them keep their smile safe from any accidents that might occur. Remember: custom mouthguards provided by your child’s dentist tend to fit better and offer improved protection compared to store-bought oral appliances.
Teach Them to Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Their Teeth
You may see your child using their teeth to tear open packaging. This is a habit that you’ll want them to break as soon as possible, as it could potentially wear down their teeth over time and even cause them to break. Teach them to always use scissors or another type of tool to open packaging instead. If your child isn’t old enough to use such tools safely, then make sure that they know to ask for help from a grown-up when they need to open something.
Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs
Do you want to learn more about pediatric dental emergencies so you can be as prepared as possible should one arise? Good news – you’re in the right place! While our Papillion dental team is here to answer questions, we also know it isn’t always convenient to jump on a phone call. For that reason, we’ve responded to some FAQs right here.
Should my child visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Unless your child is experiencing a potentially life-threatening symptom, like difficulty breathing, you should not take them to the ER. Remember, hospitals don’t typically have dentists on-staff, so they can’t fix cracked teeth, save a knocked-out tooth, etc. The best thing to do is call us ASAP. Over the phone, we can help in a few ways, including scheduling an appointment and providing you with instructions on how to handle your child’s dental injury until then.
Do chipped teeth heal?
Unfortunately, chipped teeth do not heal on their own. So, if your child accidentally damages one or more of their teeth during a sports-related accident or while playing on the playground, they need to come in for treatment from our Papillion emergency dentist for kids. We can restore the look, function, and health of their smile before the tooth breaks further or develops an infection.
Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?
There is a common misconception that knocked-out baby teeth aren’t a dental emergency because they are supposed to fall out eventually anyway. The reality, however, is that if one of your child’s teeth comes out too early, a number of complications can arise. Plus, there’s a chance that their surrounding teeth and underlying tooth were harmed in the process, which is another reason we need to conduct an exam and intervene with the necessary care right away.
What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?
Just like you have a first aid kit for cuts and scrapes, you should have an emergency dental kit for injuries to your child’s teeth and gums. A few items we recommend putting in yours are:
- A small container to store teeth or restorations
- Sterile gloves
- Gauze pads
- Cotton balls
- Dental cement
- Orajel or another topical anesthetic
- Floss
- Ice pack
- The phone number and address of our office
Are toothpicks safe to use?
If your child has something firmly lodged between their teeth, you might think to use a sharp object, like a toothpick, to attempt to remove it. However, this isn’t typically recommended since accidentally swallowing a toothpick can be deadly. Plus, pieces of the toothpick can break off, irritating your child’s gums in the process. For all of those reasons, we recommend instead using floss. If the object remains in place, try having your child rinse with warm saltwater first. This can help dissolve and loosen it.