How to Deal With a Child's Broken Tooth
A broken or chipped tooth happens frequently in American children. It is estimated that about half of American children break or chip a tooth from roughhousing, sports accidents or from a fall. A broken tooth should be treated as a dental emergency, especially if the permanent teeth have already come in. Teeth can be saved by following these tips from Let's Smile Pediatric Dentistry in Virginia.
Broken or Chipped Milk Teeth
Toddlers learning to walk often fall on their face, injuring their mouths. If the child is in pain, then contact a pediatric dentist at once or, if one is not available, go to the emergency room. If the tooth is loose then the child could accidentally swallow it and choke. Chipped or even cracked milk teeth may need to be removed, but some can be saved with judicious filing by a orthodontist Springfield VA or elsewhere. If the tooth, whole or in part, can be found, stick in a small container of milk and take to the pediatrician with your child. Ice, pain killers and soft foods will help the child get over a sore mouth in the next few days. Do not try to place the tooth in the gums since this can damage the permanent teeth.
Broken or Chipped Permanent Teeth
Time is essential when saving a broken, cracked or chipped permanent tooth, notes springfield pediatric dentist office Let's Smile. Use ice to help reduce swelling, pain and bleeding. Find the tooth or tooth fragment. Gently rinse it off in cold or cool water but do not try to dry off or remove any fleshy bits. If possible, insert the tooth in the gums. Have the child bite on a towel to help keep the tooth in place and get to a pediatrician immediately, If there is a tooth fragment or if the tooth cannot go back into the socket, place the tooth in a small container with milk and bring to the dentist. Knocked out teeth can sometimes be reinserted successfully up to one hour after the child is injured.
More Care May Be Needed
Some injuries may be too severe for your pediatrician to handle during the emergency visit. If X-rays do not reveal all of the damage, then CT scans may be needed. Other injuries to the face, lips or mouth may need the care of an oral surgeon. Whatever you do, do not ignore a broken or loose tooth in your child. Prompt action may help save the tooth for many more years to come.
