by Amy Sharp

June is here and summer is in full swing! The kids are enjoying their new found freedom…riding bikes, playing baseball, climbing trees and jumping off diving boards. Dr. Bianca Sanchez at Little People’s Dentistry says, “Summer is a wonderful time for kids to really be kids and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, it’s also a time we see many dental emergencies. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but every parent should be prepared just in case!”

“If your child chips or fractures a permanent tooth, rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Contact your dentist immediately and bring along any broken tooth fragments you can locate. It’s the same with a toothache…rinse the mouth with warm salt water and apply compresses for swelling. Oral pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen (following manufacturer’s directions) will help with the pain, but never place aspirin directly on the gums…this causes a chemical burn.”

But what if your child completely knocks out a permanent tooth? Dr. Sanchez says, “First and foremost, do not panic! Find the tooth if you can, but do not clean it with soap and water. Always hold the tooth by the crown–the part you see in the mouth. If you can, reinsert the tooth in its socket, but do not force it. If you cannot reinsert it, place the tooth in a glass of milk. Call me right away…your child needs to be seen as soon as possible by a pediatric dentist for the tooth to have a good prognosis!”

Of course, you shouldn’t wait for an emergency to take your child to the dentist. Summer’s a great time to get an appointment and get those tiny teeth checked out. Dr. Sanchez says, “With regular checkups, we can see things that you may not see and your child may not feel. Think of preventative dental care as “smile” insurance…where we catch and correct problems early, preserving the beautiful smile your child deserves!”

Little People’s Dentistry “Because Kidz Are People, Too.”
281-261-0020
4706 Riverstone Blvd., Suite 200 (behind Kohl’s in Riverstone)
www.LittlePeoplesDentistry.com