Tag: pediatric anesthesia

Preventing Dental Anxiety With Sedation and Anesthesia

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Anesthesia Procedures at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If your child is apprehensive about the dentist even before they’re asked to open wide, then it’s worth knowing what kind of anesthesia procedures your dentist offers. The most common anesthetic used in dentistry is nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas. It works quickly and leaves the body before your child is out of the chair.

At Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, we want all of our patients to feel at ease. You’ll find an explanation of when and how we use anesthesia below.

When General Anesthesia Is the Best Option

The professionals at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry can use nitrous oxide for a dental exam, a cavity fill, and other procedures.

Bigger procedures such as filling multiple cavities, placing a crown, or emergency dental work require more time and may require general anesthesia for your child’s relaxation and safety. It’s very difficult for a child to sit in a dental chair for hours, even if they don’t have anxiety. Your dentist can do more work quickly without the risk of your child jerking or becoming inconsolable.

If we agree that anesthesia is the best option for your child, we will do a physical evaluation, discuss any medications your child takes and make sure they don’t have breathing issues. We’ll also give you a clear understanding of how to prepare your child, what happens during the procedure and what to expect after.

Important Facts About Anesthesia at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Before using anesthesia for your child, we’ll answer all your questions. These are a few things to know upfront:

  • General anesthesia is administered via IV in our office.
  • A parent or guardian must be present for the entire procedure.
  • You’ll receive detailed instructions about food and liquids prior to the procedure.
  • We’ll watch your child in the office until the effects are minimal.
  • Your child will need close observation at home until all effects have passed.

If you’d like to discuss sedation or general anesthesia before coming in, please call us. You can also schedule an appointment at our office in Wilson, NC, serving Greenville & Rocky Mount, and we’ll determine what best meets your child’s needs.

Is Your Child Having a Dental Emergency? Here’s What to Do

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

A tooth, dentist tool, and first aid kit, denoting a dental emergency.

A dental emergency can be a scary situation, but the good news is that most of them can be resolved with a visit to the dentist.

There are steps you can take before you arrive to ensure your child’s health and safety. If your child is experiencing a dental emergency right now, contact us immediately at (252) 291-4300.

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

There are many different types of dental emergencies. The most common situations include:

  • Tooth is knocked out or becomes loose due to injury
  • Tooth is cracked or chipped
  • Severe tooth pain
  • Severe bleeding, especially after an injury
  • Tooth abscess
  • Oral/facial swelling

Minor toothaches, lost fillings, and food that gets stuck between teeth are not usually considered dental emergencies, so it’s safe to wait for an appointment in those situations. If you’re not sure if your child should see a dentist right away, go ahead and give us a call just to be safe.

What to Do in the Event of a Dental Emergency

The first thing you need to do in any emergency is call the dentist’s office. Dentists reserve time in their schedule to accommodate emergency situations. Explain in full detail what happened and what symptoms your child is experiencing so the office can refer you to the best care.

If the office is closed or the dentist is not available, call first thing the next morning. If it is a life-threatening situation, such as a serious cut or infection, or your child is having trouble breathing or swallowing, head to the hospital emergency room.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If it is a baby tooth, retrieve the tooth and keep it moist in a glass of milk until you can see the dentist. They may want to implant it. If it’s a permanent tooth, follow the same steps. Avoid touching the root. Get to the dentist as soon as possible, preferably within an hour of the accident occurring.

Cracked Tooth

If a tooth is cracked, rinse out the mouth with warm water. Place an ice pack or cold compress to the face to help reduce swelling. Then, get to the dentist right away.

Bleeding

If your child’s gum, tongue, or lip is bleeding, gently clean the area with water. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to the dentist or emergency room as soon as possible.

Call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

When a dental emergency happens, try to remain calm, call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, and follow the steps listed above. Our office offers emergency dental services in Wilson, NC, to treat most conditions and help keep your child’s mouth healthy.

Emergency Dental Care at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

There are a number of ways your child can injure their mouth or damage their teeth. Whether it’s a sports injury or from biting down too hard on a piece of food, teeth can become cracked, dislodged, and broken. Plus, gums can bleed from lacerations and other damage. If these injuries are not treated immediately, they can sometimes lead to serious complications.

Wondering when your child might require emergency dental care? Read through our frequently asked questions (FAQ) below and seek assistance from Wilson Pediatric Dentistry if you’re in need of emergency dental care in Wilson, North Carolina.

FAQ: Does My Child Need Emergency Dental Care?

What do I do about a cracked or broken tooth?

Depending on the severity and the level of pain your child experiences, you can either call for an emergency appointment or schedule an appointment during normal business hours. Cracked or chipped teeth do not typically require emergency services, but if a large piece of the tooth is missing or the tooth is knocked out completely, you should seek immediate care.

Do not get rid of the tooth. Instead, store it in a container of milk or your child’s saliva until he or she can be seen by a dentist.

What if my child’s gums are bleeding?

Bleeding gums can arise for a number of reasons — especially while brushing or flossing the teeth. Gums bleed during the early stages of Gingivitis because of plaque buildup that causes receding and inflamed gums. Bleeding gums can also be due to a vitamin C or vitamin K deficiency.

These scenarios are not always emergencies but should be discussed with the dentist when you bring your child for their next appointment. Encourage your child to continue brushing and flossing, even if it does make the gums bleed.

What happens if my child has a toothache?

Toothaches can be tricky to diagnose without seeing a dentist. Causes range from a cavity to a serious infection. When chewing, biting, and even talking become painful for your child, contact a medical professional immediately.

Whether the pain is from grinding teeth or something more serious, it will likely not go away on its own. For instance, an abscess tooth can cause a tremendous amount of pain, resulting in swelling, inflamed gums, and even a fever. An abscess tooth is caused by tooth decay and can be treated by different options, including antibiotics and a root canal procedure.

Find Emergency Dental Services in Wilson, NC

Are you looking for a pediatric dentist near you that also offers emergency dental services? Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is conveniently located in Wilson — near Kenly and Rocky Mount. Schedule an appointment online today, or call our office.

How to Know When Your Child is Having a Dental Emergency

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

young girl at a dentist appointment, pediatric dental emergency

 

If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, CONTACT WILSON PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IMMEDIATELY AT (252) 291-4300 for same-day dental care.

Few things are worse than seeing your child in pain. As a parent, you want to do whatever you can to keep your child healthy. With all the playing and exploring kids do, pediatric dental emergencies are not uncommon, and an important part of protecting your daughter or son’s dental health is knowing how to react when they happen.

Here are some common examples of pediatric dental emergencies, so you know what to do and when to contact your pediatric dentist for emergency treatment.

What is a Pediatric Dental Emergency?

A pediatric dental emergency is any unexpected dental issue that requires immediate attention or treatment.

Many of these problems come with extreme pain. Some emergencies can even impact the way new teeth come in. Here are some of the most common pediatric dental emergencies we experience in our office.

Lost Tooth

If your child suddenly and unexpectedly loses a tooth, they should see their pediatric dentist immediately.

If you’re able to find the tooth, keep it. Make sure the tooth stays moist with milk, salt water, or saliva during the drive to the dentist. If your child is older, you can put the tooth back in the socket or have them hold it in their mouths. Avoid this with younger children, as they may swallow the tooth.

If the lost tooth is permanent, we will do our best to try to reintroduce it. The faster we can act, the more likely the procedure is to be successful.

If your daughter or son unexpectedly loses a baby tooth, we will not typically try to replace the tooth, even if it was lost very early. This is because reintroduction may harm the incoming permanent tooth bud. You should still bring your child in for emergency dental treatment, so that the damage can be assessed.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

With kids constantly rough-housing sometimes teeth end up chipped or broken. Whether the fracture occurs in the crown or fracture, the pain is usually considerable.

Treat the tooth with a cold compress and children’s pain medicine. Next, call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry for emergency dental care.

Tooth Pain

Chances are, if your little one’s teeth hurt, they won’t be able to verbalize specific causes of the pain. Toothaches come from a variety of issues ranging from the routine to severe. Some common causes are:

  • Food stuck in the teeth
  • Cavities
  • Trauma
  • Tooth fracture
  • Tooth eruption

Check your child’s mouth for abnormalities, and have them rinse. If the pain persists, take them in for treatment.

Displaced Teeth

Sometimes teeth don’t get knocked out but knocked around. Whether they become impacted or made crooked, displacement can have a negative impact on future development and requires immediate attention. Treat the tooth with a cold compress while you’re on the way to the office.

Dental Abscess

A tooth abscess is a nasty infection occurring in the roots your child’s tooth. If left unchecked, this infection can spread to other parts of the body. Some signs to look out for include:

  • Severe tooth, jaw, or gum pain
  • Swollen gums
  • Fever
  • Bad taste in mouth
  • Bad breath

If your child is experiencing any of these issues, don’t waste time. The faster you act, the sooner they’ll be smiling again! Wilson Pediatric Dentistry in North Carolina offers same-day emergency appointments during business hours. Call us at (252) 291-4300.