Any parent will know that children have a real knack for falling over, running into or tumbling off just about anything, anywhere.
Sometimes these mishaps result in an injury to the mouth and teeth.
About 30 per cent of children experience dental trauma, which can have serious long-term consequences if not dealt with as soon as possible after injury.
The top front four teeth are most often involved in a dental injury in children.
Most injuries to baby teeth displace or move the tooth rather than actually breaking the crown or root.
That’s because in small children, the supporting bone for these teeth is quite forgiving.
It allows the tooth to move to the side, tip to the front or back, or drive directly up into the bone. If the primary (baby) tooth actually comes out it is usually recommended that the tooth not be put back into the socket.
In older children however the permanent teeth are usually broken rather than moved out of position.
Because an adult (permanent) tooth has no replacement waiting underneath to take its place, if it is displaced or totally lost, the treatment is different than with primary teeth.
If any loss of consciousness is associated with the injury, take your child first to a doctor, then a dentist.
Generally the sooner a dentist sees the child the more likely the injured tooth can be saved.
The dental exam will include a full exam of the head and neck.
This exam will rule out less obvious injuries that can sometimes go unnoticed.
What do you do if your child’s adult tooth is knocked out?
- When picking up the tooth do not touch the root of the tooth.
- Do not scrape debris from the tooth; rather rinse it off in water.
- If possible replace the tooth in its socket, holding it gently in place.
- If you cannot reposition the tooth, place it in a solution of milk or saline.
- Never allow the tooth to dry out.
- See the dentist as soon as possible, ideally within an hour of injury.
For an appointment with our friendly dentists and staff call us Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.