If there is an active child in your life, you know how easily – and often – accidents can happen. Anywhere and anytime, your child may experience a dental injury like a cracked, chipped or broken tooth, or the loss of a tooth.
It’s helpful to know in advance how to handle these dental emergencies. You will be best equipped to do all that you can to save the tooth, if possible.
- When a permanent tooth is knocked out, it’s a dental emergency – call us as soon as possible! The tooth must be kept moist and as clean as possible. Touch the tooth only by the crown – not the roots. Try to keep the tooth in the socket and have your child bite down gently on a clean wash cloth or gauze to keep it in place. If the child is incapable of doing this safely, place the tooth in milk or put it in your own mouth between your cheek and gum.
- If a baby tooth (or milk tooth) is knocked out, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water. Place a small amount of gauze in the spot if there is bleeding. A cold compress applied on the cheek can reduce swelling. Then call us right away.
- Call us immediately if a tooth has been chipped or broken tooth. We can take quick action to try to save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the risk of extensive dental treatment.
- If a filling is lost, call us for an appointment. You can temporarily protect the area from inflammation by placing a piece of softened sugarless chewing gum in the spot.
It’s impossible to prevent all dental accidents in children. But you can help reduce the risk of a lost or broken tooth during sporting activities by equipping your child with appropriate sport-specific mouthguards.
Let Us Know If You Have Questions on Any Aspect of Oral Health Care
Dr. Lorraine Burio of Candlewood Dental Care has been treating and educating patients for over twenty-five years. Our office serves the New Fairfield, New Milford, Danbury, and Sherman areas of CT and Pawling, Patterson and Putnam Lake of New York. You can call us at 203-746-1200.