When your child has an injury, it can be quite scary. Knowing what to do can help you stay calm. Getting a tooth knocked out is a serious thing, especially if it is a permanent tooth. Here’s what to do.
If a Permanent Tooth Gets Knocked Out
First, locate the tooth. Hold it by the crown, the part of the tooth that you would see in the child’s mouth. Try not to touch the root of the tooth. Rinse it off with water. Don’t scrub it. If you can reinsert it back into the socket, do so. Hold it in place with gauze or a clean towel. If you can’t get it back into the socket, place it in a glass of milk (or water) to keep it moist until you can get to the dentist.
Time is of the essence if you are going to save the tooth. Call your dentist immediately and explain the situation. If it’s after hours, you should call the on-call dentist or find an emergency dentist. Get to your dentist’s office right away.
If you can’t locate the tooth, you should still call your dentist and ask how to proceed. If you believe that your child swallowed the tooth, call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room.
You can use ice or a cold pack to reduce swelling and ease the pain while you’re driving to the dentist. Treatment options depend on many factors. Your dentist will have to determine the best way to repair the damage.
What if the Tooth Is a Baby Tooth?
If the tooth that is knocked out is a baby tooth, the situation is much different. Don’t try to place the tooth back into the socket, because you might damage the permanent tooth. Also, look for the tooth to make sure it wasn’t swallowed. If it was, you should talk to your pediatrician.
Apply light pressure to control any bleeding. You can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever, whatever your doctor recommends. Call your dentist to ask whether a spacer might be necessary to keep the other teeth from shifting over. If appearance is an issue, your dentist can offer solutions.
Talk to Your Dentist About Protecting Your Child’s Teeth
Right now, while you’re thinking about it, make sure your child’s dentist’s phone number is in your phone. When you do have an accident, you don’t want to be looking up a number.
Many times, teeth get knocked out during sports activities. Your dentist can suggest equipment to protect your child’s mouth during physical activities. Make an appointment with a dentist, like a Family Dentist in Apex NC, to talk about options that will work for your son or daughter.
Thank you to the experts at Alliance Dentistry for their input into pediatric and family dentists.
