Kids will be out of school for the summer very soon. As you and your children transition to the “lazy, hazy days of summer”, here are a few things to consider.
If you are sending a child off to a college that is out of our area, call now to schedule a dental checkup. It is much better, from both a stress and financial standpoint, to deal with your child’s dental issues locally. Also, if your child needs wisdom teeth removed, start the process now. Oral surgeons are generally busy in the summer and you’ll want to get an appointment that works for you.
Summer is also a time of less structured (maybe rambunctious) play. Accidents happen. If your child comes running to you with blood coming from his mouth, don’t panic. If it is a cut on the lip or inside the mouth, apply ice or even a popsicle, then inspect it. Call your dentist or pediatrician if you have concerns about the size of the injury. Sending a photo on your cell phone is a great way to get an opinion about the necessity of further treatment. A cut in the mouth often looks worse than it is because the blood mixes with the saliva, making the blood look more significant.
If your child runs to you with loose or missing teeth, get to the dentist quickly. If the tooth has completely fallen from the mouth, put it in a glass of milk, or, in the case of older children, right in the mouth against the cheek (mucosa). The chance of reimplanting the tooth decreases with each minute so time is of the essence. Loose teeth can be splinted, which gives the gums and bone time to reattach.
When the sports teams start practicing later in the summer, make sure your child has a comfortable custom mouthguard and wears it! It is the most cost-effective dental insurance you can buy.
Call Bucks County Dental Design today at 215-364-2420 for all of your family’s dental needs or visit www.BucksCountyDentalDesign.com.
Best wishes to you all for a happy and safe summer!
