Healthy + Happy
In Case of Emergency Most dental offices are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but many dentists will still see your kids in an emergency.
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ow more than ever, in the midst of quarantine, we need to avoid trips to the ER or dentist’s office. But, as every parent knows, accidents are a fact of life. For any dental emergency call your child’s dentist ASAP. “Your dentist may be able to help your child via teledentistry until you are able to go into the office,” says Elisa Velazquez, a dentist at Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates in Toms River and president of the New Jersey Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. “Teledentistry allows the dentist to provide a consultation and [give] clinical guidance for your child’s emergency.” Here’s how to handle common dental emergencies during these uncertain times:
KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH “Whether it’s toddlers falling as they learn to walk
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or kids horsing around, accidents happen,” says pediatric dentist Mary Hayes, DDS, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “Because all dental emergencies involve a concussion risk, make sure your child is okay first.” If your child has injured her face or head or lost consciousness, it’s still advisable to head to the ER (though it’s a good idea to call as you’re on your way in case they have rules in place about where to enter the building, for example). Otherwise, call your dentist immediately. Pick up the lost tooth by the crown. Keep the tooth wet to bring it to the dentist by placing it in a cup of milk. While milk is best, use water if milk isn’t available. Don’t reinsert it or clean it off. Let your dentist handle that so you don’t do further damage. And don’t delay. “The success rate is best when you can get the tooth placed within 30 minutes of the accident,” says Hayes. The good news: baby teeth
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By Arricca Elin SanSone
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2020
