In children and teens, dental trauma to the teeth and surrounding tissues is extremely common. They might happen during a game or while participating in sporting activities. Due to their active lifestyles and growing coordination abilities, children are generally more vulnerable to dental trauma. As a parent, you must be aware of dental trauma to be able to take timely action.
Deep cut on Lip or Tongue
Minor cuts and wounds to the mouth and lips are common among children while playing, climbing, or participating in sports activities. The majority of these injuries are treatable at home with basic first aid. There’s a lot of blood supply in your child’s gums, tongue, and lips. Due to this, there may be a lot of bleeding during cuts. On the bright side, these places heal faster and require fewer stitches than other body part
Here’s what you can do in case your child has a cut on their lip or tongue
- If available, put on medical gloves.
- Allow your child to rinse their mouth with water to identify the place of injury.
- Stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a piece of gauze or cloth.
- If there is swelling, apply ice or a cold pack wrapped in a small cloth to your child’s lip and mouth.
- Cuts near the corner of the mouth, where the upper and lower lips meet, can result in considerable bleeding. Stitches may be required to keep the borders even and limit the risk of scarring in these wounds.
- Cuts inside the mouth, even though they appear to be deep, often heal without the need for stitches. Stitches may be required if the cut is wide or the bleeding doesn’t stop.
Take your child to the best pediatric dental clinic if you notice the following:
- Bleeding continues despite 10 to 15 minutes of direct pressure. If the bleeding is severe and the cloth becomes drenched with blood.
- The cut is large and prominent on the face
- The cut is a result of a puncture wound or a dirty or rusted object
- Contains debris such as dirt, stones, or gravel
- The edges are ragged or separated
- Caused by an animal or human bite
- Extremely painful, especially if you suspect a break (fracture), head or bone injury
- A loose or fractured tooth (this is best handled by a dentist)
- There are infection symptoms such as increased temperature, redness, swelling, or fluid seeping
- The cut is from the inside of the mouth to the outside.
- Passes through the lip’s boundary or outline
Also, get your child medical attention if your child has not received a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years, or if you are unsure when your child’s last tetanus vaccination was administered, you should get one.
Injuries to the Teeth
Children’s teeth might be injured due to falls, play, or sporting activities. The injury could be to either primary (baby) or permanent (adult) teeth. A tooth might be broken, chipped, or completely separated from its socket. When a tooth is injured, your kid may experience blood, pain, or heightened sensitivity.
Here’s what you can do if your child has an injury to their teeth
- Maintain your cool and reassure your youngster that you’re there with them and everything will be alright. Keeping calm is the best thing to do if your child has dental phobia.
- If it is bleeding, apply a tiny piece of folded gauze to the wound and have your child bite down on it or hold it in place with strong pressure.
- To minimise swelling and pain, give your youngster a cool drink or an ice pop to suck on.
- If a tooth is chipped or cracked, save all of the broken parts. Ensure that no tooth fragments are embedded in the lips, tongue, or gums.
Contact a kids dentist in Dubai if there is:
- Any dental damage that results in a loose tooth with sharp or ragged edges, or a tooth that is broken into pieces
- Any signs of infection, such as extensive pain, fever, or drainage from the location
Sharp or ragged tooth edges may require smoothing, and additional treatment may be required to save the tooth. A loose tooth may require stabilisation. A highly damaged or loose tooth that cannot be fixed may need to be extracted. Take your child to the dentist for anxious patients for best care. Dr. Yasmin Kottait is known for her ability to treat anxious kids with a smile on their face.
Broken jaw
A child can have a jaw injury as a result of a car accident, sports injury, or a tumble. If your child has a broken jaw, you must take prompt action.
Identify the following symptoms
- Pain in the jaw
- Bruised, swollen, or bleeding jaw, gums, or chin.
- Jaw deformity or crookedness
- Missing teeth
- Abnormal bite
- Jawbone pain below the ear
- Numbness or tingling on the chin
- Having difficulty eating, swallowing, or expanding your mouth wide
Apply ice and visit a kids dentist in Dubai if you suspect your child has a broken jaw. The dentist will initially examine the jawbone and the inside of the mouth. To evaluate the bite, the dentist will have your child open and close their mouth. The dentist will examine your child for any signs of bleeding or wounds, missing teeth, bruising, or swelling, and may request a panoramic X-ray or CT scan to rule out a fracture.
Inform your child’s dentist about the injury so that they can analyse the problem and provide proper care. Prompt action can help to reduce pain, avoid future damage, and assure the best possible outcome for your child’s dental health.
myPediaclinic – emergency pediatric dental clinic in Dubai
Our experienced award-winning pediatric dentists at myPediaclinic in Dubai Healthcare City help young children have a stress-free and relaxing visit. As one of the most trusted and kid-friendly clinics in the country, the doctors and staff at myPediaclinic are focused on delivering quality treatment and consultation for the long-term health and well-being of their patients.
