Protecting Young Smiles: How to Avoid Pediatric Dental Emergencies

While dental emergencies cannot always be foreseen, there are steps you can take to keep your child’s smile out of harm’s way. Many seemingly innocuous habits can lead to lasting dental damage, and children are notorious for injuring their teeth while roughhousing. Here are a few excellent ways to prevent pediatric dental emergencies so you can set your child up for a lifetime with a healthy and comfortable smile.

Teach Your Child Excellent Oral Hygiene

A proper daily oral hygiene regimen includes brushing at least every morning and night as well as flossing and using antibacterial mouthwash after the age of six. While it can be difficult to get a child on board with these habits, practicing excellent oral hygiene alongside them can give them a good example to emulate and you the opportunity to make sure they are cleaning their teeth properly. Excellent dental cleaning habits can prevent the buildup of food debris and harmful germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Limit Your Child’s Sugar Intake

Children are well-known for loving sugar and will undoubtedly consume too much of it if allowed to do so. Sweet, sugary items like soda, candy, ice cream, and the like leave the mouth coated with a sticky residue that feeds the harmful germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease. If left untreated, these infections can lead to severely painful toothaches that require immediate emergency treatment as well as gum disease that can lead to misalignments and tooth loss.

Have Your Child Wear a Mouthguard

Many children love sports, but many of these games can lead to preventable dental injuries such as severe cracks, fractures, and dislodged teeth that require emergency dental treatment. Luckily, having your child wear a mouthguard when they play contact sports or ride a bike can provide their teeth with the cushion they need to stay safe and healthy. A customized mouthguard from your dentist is the best way to protect your child’s smile from sports-related injuries.

While pediatric dental emergencies can be treated, it is far better to prevent them from happening. By observing these best practices, you can keep your child’s teeth in great shape for many years to come.

About the Author

Dr. Reema Dhingra earned her DMD at the Tufts School of Dental Medicine and her orthodontic certification from the Tufts School of Orthodontics. She is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the Yankee Dental Congress. Her office in Auburn offers pediatric dental services such as dental sealants, routine checkups, and emergency treatments. To learn more about protecting your child from dental emergencies, contact the office online or dial (508) 832-6278.