Unfortunately, accidents happen.  Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing your child’s tooth.  Here are some tips that can help you cope with a dental emergency quickly and calmly.

Knocked-Out Tooth

For an avulsed (knocked out) tooth, pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root – handling the root may damage the cells necessary for bone reattachment and hinder the replant.  If there is debris on the root, lightly rinse it off under running water, but do not scrub the root.  If possible, gently place the tooth back into the socket on site.  Make sure the tooth is facing the right direction – I actually saw a case where a tooth had been re-implanted by a patient who never went to the dentist.  The implantation was successful, but the smile looked a little strange!  If you can’t get the tooth back in the socket, keep the tooth moist and do not let it dry out.  A good place is under the patient’s tongue, but often this isn’t practical with children.  You can also place it in low-fat milk, saline solution or saliva.  It is imperative that you visit the dentist as soon as possible – the longer a tooth is out of the mouth, the less likely it can be saved. 

Displaced tooth

If a tooth is displaced (loose), push it back into its original position, bite down so the tooth does not move and call your dentist.  He or she may temporarily splint the tooth in place to the healthy teeth adjacent to the loose tooth.

Broken Tooth

Rinse the mouth with warm water (cold may hurt) to keep the area clean.  Put cold compresses (crushed ice in a zip lock bag that is covered with a wash cloth works well) on the face to reduce swelling of the soft tissues and go to the dentist immediately.  If the fracture is large and you can find the piece, bring it with you to your dentist as it can sometimes be bonded back in to place.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Clean the area gently with a cloth and put cold compresses on the area to keep swelling down.  If after holding pressure on the area bleeding is excessive or doesn’t stop in a short period of time take your child to your dentist or a hospital emergency room.

Objects Caught Between Teeth

Gently try to remove the object with dental floss.  I you aren’t successful, go to the dentist.  Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument – things can often get worse if you do.

Toothache

Rinse them mouth with water to clean it out.  Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between the teeth and causing the irritation.  If there is swelling or the discomfort persists take your child to the dentist as soon as possible.  Dental infections are very painful and can quickly become serious.  Don’t put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues since aspirin is an acid and will burn the tissue.

Possible broken jaw

Apply cold compresses to control the swelling and take your child to your dentist or hospital emergency room immediately.

It would like to say kids are always careful, but I have two children of my own and know that isn’t the case.  I hope you never have to use these tips, but just in case - it’s always good to be prepared.