Dental injuries occurring in children are fairly common, yet they can be stressful and nerve-wracking for both parent and child. Here are some helpful tips when assessing your child's dental emergency.

• REMAIN CALM. With a clear head you can act effectively in helping minimize your child's injury and calm their distress.
• If your child hits his or her head and loses consciousness even for a brief moment, and/or if one pupil seems larger than the other, Take your child to the Emergency Room immediately! Worry about their teeth later.
• Use a washcloth or gauze to stop bleeding and inspect your child's mouth. If there are broken or missing teeth, look for the teeth or teeth fragment and, see instructions below.

Bitten Lip or Tongue
Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn't stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

Broken Tooth
Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call your dentist immediately.

Jaw (possibly broken)
Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency room immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth
Be sure to hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root with water if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. Remember to bring the tooth with you.

Objects Caught Between Teeth
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between teeth. If you can't dislodge the object using dental floss, contact your dentist.

Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there are not any particles of food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.