As parents, we always want to protect our children from harm. However, accidents can happen, especially during childhood, when kids are energetic and curious. Sometimes, your little ones can be pretty clumsy while eating, walking, and playing. Especially toddlers, as they keep losing their balance and falling while walking. One common mishap that parents may encounter is when their child chips or knocks out a tooth. It can be stressful, but knowing what steps to take can help you handle the situation calmly and effectively.
Childhood for kids is all about exploring everything around them. Dental problems, especially chipping or knocking out of a tooth, might happen during your child’s playful actions. They might fall on their baby teeth and end up breaking them in the most unexpected ways. But we have covered you with the necessary details and steps to consider in such an emergency. Keep reading to know more about what you can do if your child experiences a chipped or knocked-out tooth.
What Are Types Of Tooth Injuries In Children?
a) Chipped Tooth
It’s common for children to chip a tooth when they bite on something hard or have a fall. A chipped tooth usually doesn’t cause much pain because of the smaller damaged area. However, it can leave a rough edge that can hurt the tongue or lip when the child bites on them unknowingly.
b) Cracked Tooth
Sometimes, a child’s tooth may have a crack, and it’s helpful if you might notice it before getting worse. The minor cracks, called craze lines, only affect the outer enamel and don’t cause pain. On the contrary, the vertical cracks begin from the root and spread to the other end. It leads to tooth inflammation and nerve damage, which can be very painful.
c) Broken Tooth
When a child breaks a tooth, it often causes severe pain because it may expose the nerves in the dental pulp. However, there are cases where a child may not feel pain, and parents might mistakenly think everything is fine. But beware, this could mean that the tooth is already seriously damaged and the nerves have been destroyed. In such cases, you should seek the best emergency dental treatment for kids without any delay.
d) Avulsion (Knocked-out Tooth)
The most severe type of tooth injury is avulsion, where a child’s tooth is completely knocked out due to an accident or fall and comes out of its socket. If this happens, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a Pediatric Dentist. An avulsion is considered a pediatric dental emergency, and the dentist will try replanting the child’s tooth as it was before.
What To Do If My Toddler Breaks A Tooth?
Now, let’s see how you can handle your child’s tooth being chipped or knocked out in an emergency situation.
a) Remain Calm & Assess the Situation
The first and most crucial step is to stay calm. Your child will look up to you for guidance, and panicking will only escalate the situation. Check injury by examining the mouth carefully. Is the tooth completely knocked out or only partially chipped? Are there any signs of bleeding or other injuries? Gathering this information will help you determine the severity of the situation.
b) Control Bleeding
If there is bleeding, help your child by rinsing their mouth gently with cold water to clean the area and reduce bleeding. Apply a clean piece of gauze or a wet tea bag to the affected area and ask your child to bite down gently to control the bleeding. Maintain pressure for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If bleeding persists or is excessive, seek immediate help from a Pediatric Dentist near me.
c) Locate the Tooth
If your child has knocked out a tooth entirely, try to locate it. Handle the tooth by the crown (top part) and avoid touching the root. Rinse the tooth gently with water if it is dirty, but do not scrub or use any cleaning agents. It is essential to maintain the tooth moist to increase the chances of successful reattachment. Place the tooth in a clean container with milk or saliva, or have your child gently hold it between their cheek and gum.
d) Visit Your Pediatric Dentist
Regardless of whether the tooth is chipped or knocked out, it is crucial to contact your dentist in one of the severe dental emergencies in children. Explain the situation and schedule an emergency appointment. Time is of the essence, especially for knocked-out grown up teeth, as the chances of successful reattachment decrease significantly after one hour. If you have a chipped or broken tooth, take the broken piece to your pediatric dentist as they may be able to reattach it after proper diagnosis.
How Can A Pediatric Dentist In Dubai Help Your Child?
Every parent should handle cracked or chipped teeth as a dental emergency. Consider seeking the help of your Pediatric Dentist as soon as possible & let them recommend the next course of treatment. The professional diagnosis and care will help your child to get instant help with teeth recovery or alleviating pain. The sooner it gets treated, the more the chances of avoiding future dental complications.
Let’s explore some ways a Pediatric Dentist can help your child in case of a broken or damaged tooth emergency.
a) Dealing With Chipped Teeth
The Pediatric Dentist will analyze and determine the best course of treatment based on the tooth damage & overall situation. Sometimes, a dental bonding procedure can be performed to restore the tooth’s appearance and function. The dentist may recommend a dental crown or veneer to protect the remaining tooth structure if the chip is significant.
b) Dealing With Knocked-Out Teeth
If your child has knocked out a tooth entirely, the dentist may attempt to reattach it. However, its success rate depends on various factors like time spent since the injury, damaged tooth condition, & type of tooth (baby or permanent). The doctor will carefully clean the tooth and socket before trying to reposition or stabilize the tooth using splints or orthodontic wires. In cases of such dental emergencies in children, you might have to bring your child for close monitoring and follow-up visits. These will ensure proper healing and tooth stability for your little one.
c) Managing Pain & Discomfort
Your child may experience pain or discomfort after chipping or knocking out a tooth. The dentist will prescribe pain medication or other options to help your child in dealing with pain & discomfort. Make them stick to soft food to avoid chewing on the affected portion of the mouth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, accidents can happen; sometimes, our children may chip or knock out a tooth. It’s important not to panic and to take the proper steps to help them. By being prepared and knowing what to do, you can handle tooth injuries effectively and ensure your child receives the proper care. Trust your dentist and take steps to prevent future accidents. With your support, your child will have a healthy & happy smile again.
About Dr. Yasmin Kottait
Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of Pediatric Dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.