It’s natural for children to lose their baby teeth gradually, but knocked-out teeth are a different story. If your child loses a tooth after sustaining an impact injury, turn to La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry in La Crosse, WI, for quality dental care. Dr. Jon Hanks is a skilled children’s dentist, and his experienced staff will make your little one feel comfortable the moment they enter the office. Below, his team discusses what to do when your child loses a tooth.

Does My Kid Need a Children’s Dentist If a Tooth Falls Out?

If It Fell out Naturally

If your child’s baby tooth falls out after it has been loose for some time, you do not need to head to the dentist as long as there were no complications. In general, children begin losing their baby teeth around six years old, and teeth tend to loosen and then fall out in the order in which they erupted. Once the tooth falls out, give your child some warm water to gargle, and show them how to brush without irritating the area until the new tooth starts to erupt.

If It Was Knocked Out

If your child’s tooth is knocked out, pick it up, rinse it gently, and try to reinsert it into the socket if possible. Have your little one bite down gently on a piece of gauze to control any bleeding. If you cannot reinsert the tooth successfully, place it in a small cup of milk, saltwater, or saliva to prevent it from drying out. Regardless of whether you can reinsert the tooth, make an appointment with your children’s dentist immediately. They may be able to reattach the tooth or insert a spacer to ensure the new adult tooth remains aligned when it finally erupts. If an adult tooth was knocked out, follow all the steps above, and try to see a dentist within 30 minutes of the injury.

If one of your child’s teeth falls out, turn to La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry. Check out their website to learn more about the kids’ dental care they provide, and call (608) 782-4054 to make an appointment with a children’s dentist today.