Advice for an Emergency Where Child has Knocked Out a Tooth
When it comes to dental emergencies, we all hope it never happens. However with children the unpredictable is more likely to happen. If you find yourself in a situation where your child has damaged, broken, or knocked out a tooth, here are some guidelines to help you know what to do should it happen. For Baby Teeth: There is very little you can do when a baby tooth is knocked out, however you still want to contact you dentist to make sure of best course and to ensure it was an actual baby tooth, if you have any doubt. Trying to replant a baby tooth is not recommended because it could lead to damage to the adult tooth that is developing below the gums. For Permanent Teeth or Adult Teeth: In case of an adult tooth being knocked out, rinse the tooth first in cool water right away. Then, try to reposition the tooth back in its socket of the gums and hold it there with a cloth. This doesn’t work every time and if it doesn’t, place the tooth in a container with cold milk or the child’s saliva, and call your kid’s dentist for advice and the best time to get in immediately. For Chipped Teeth: Having a tooth chipped isn’t quite the emergency that an adult permanent tooth is, but you still want to get them into the dentist as quickly as possible. Some chips can be extremely sensitive and infections are possible. Get in immediately, can reduce the treatment that may end up being necessary. If you have the fragment of the tooth, place it in milk, and get in to your pediatric dentist. They may or may not be able to reattach the piece.
