Children love to play, and sometimes, that play can get a little rough! Your child might have an accident that results in a dental injury; they might even knock out a tooth! If that ever happens to your little one, what should you do? Do not panic! Instead, use the advice in this article to protect your child’s smile from additional harm.
Dealing with a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
If your child knocked out one of their baby teeth, you can focus on tending to the injury and minimizing their pain. Clean gauze can help to control any bleeding, and a warm saltwater rinse can kill bacteria. A cold compress can reduce any swelling.
You should also schedule an emergency dental visit for your child as soon as possible. The dentist can clean out the tooth socket and check for additional signs of damage to your little one’s smile. They may also place a space maintainer, which is a small appliance that will prevent the nearby teeth from drifting into the new space. It will help with proper development of the underlying adult teeth.
Dealing with a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Permanent teeth usually start to erupt around the age of 6 or 7, so even very young children might be in danger of knocking out one of their permanent teeth. If that happens to your child, you should:
- Find the tooth. Pick it up by its crown (the top part) and carefully rinse off any debris.
- Protect the tooth. If possible, place the tooth back in its empty socket. If your child is not able to hold it in their mouth, place it in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation kit from a local pharmacy. It should be kept moist, but it should not be placed in plain water or any acidic liquids.
- Head to the dentist. If your child receives professional care within an hour or two of losing their tooth, it might be possible for their dentist to splint it back into place.
If a knocked-out permanent tooth cannot be reinserted, your dentist will talk to you about treatment options. Your child might need a space maintainer. When they are older, they may get the tooth replaced with a bridge or dental implant. Most dentists do not place permanent forms of tooth replacement until a patient is 18 – 21 years old.
Do not panic if your child knocks out a tooth! Instead, take quick action to relieve their pain and preserve their oral health.
Meet the Practice
At Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry, our emergency dentistry team is often able to welcome urgent cases on a same-day basis. We can also provide first-aid advice over the phone. If your child is dealing with an urgent oral health crisis, do not hesitate to call any one of our three conveniently located offices.