It happens in almost slow motion. Your child’s tooth goes flying out of their mouth during a sporting event or while playing with friends. Immediately, you feel a surge of panic set in as you scramble to figure out what to do. Sound familiar? If so, keep reading as an emergency dentist shares the next best steps if your child has knocked out a tooth!
#1. Don’t Panic
When in uncharted territory, one of the first things your little one is going to do is watch your reaction. If they notice you panicking, they may gather that this is a scary situation and begin crying. On the other hand, if you do your best to stay calm, they may follow suit.
#2. Locate the Tooth
If your child’s baby tooth gets knocked out, their dentist won’t likely attempt to reattach it. Instead, they will use a space maintainer to ensure there is room for their adult tooth when it does emerge. On the other hand, if your child knocks out one of their permanent teeth, locating it is of the utmost importance. Otherwise, their dentist will have to use a restoration, like a dental bridge, to fill the gap in their smile.
#3. Protect the Tooth
When you locate the tooth, it is important to pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface). If it is dirty, rinse it off in a bowl of lukewarm water before attempting to insert it back into the socket. If it doesn’t slide in easily, don’t force it. Instead, place it in a glass of milk or on the inside of your child’s cheek (only if they are old enough to not accidentally swallow it!).
#4. Contact Your Emergency Dentist
Now it’s time to restore the look and function of your child’s smile! The best place to start is by calling your dentist for a same-day appointment. Since the tooth will need to be reattached within 60 minutes for the highest likelihood of success, this is an extremely time-sensitive treatment. In the meantime, the dental team can walk you through the next best steps to keep your little one as comfortable as possible until they get the fast, effective treatment they need.
Dental injuries can be anxiety-inducing, especially when they happen to your child. Fortunately, the above steps can help you jump into action, ensuring their pain-free smile is restored as quickly as possible.
About the Author
After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Arlington, Dr. Tammy Ton completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Marquette University School of Dentistry. Now, she is proud to provide world-class care to patients of all ages! Her gentle touch, exceptional skill, and genuine care for everyone in her treatment chair make her truly one of a kind, especially in an emergency situation. If your little one sustains a dental injury or you are simply interested in learning more about children’s dentistry, don’t hesitate to visit her website or give her a call at 972-698-5988.