June 12, 2024, 8:50 a.m.
Establishing a dental home for your child by age 1 is important because if your child experiences a dental emergency, like being hit in the face with a baseball, you should contact your dentist first.
Emily Hahn, DDS, a pediatric dentist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, outlines three things to know about dental injuries and children:
- The mouth is vascular and bleeds easily. If it’s just a tooth injury, even if it’s super bloody, call your dentist first.
- Your dentist should be able to direct you exactly where to go next. It may be the emergency department or urgent care, but having a dentist or pediatric dentist on your health care team will help guide you in the right direction.
- If you think your child is experiencing a head injury in addition to a dental emergency, you should visit an emergency department. In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. Find the St. Louis Children’s Hospital pediatric Emergency Department location nearest you.
