About 50% of children will experience some kind of tooth or mouth injury as they're growing up, which is just one reason why it's important to bring him or her in for dental exams. The pediatric dentists at Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu and Lihue, Hawaii, have seen broken teeth from sports games, mouth puncture wounds from falls, minor wounds to the tongue and more. Kids live active lives, and it's important to allow them to do so. 

Here are some tips for helping your children when everyday activities lead to injuries of the teeth or mouth:

• Replace a Dislocated Permanent Tooth Quickly: Teeth that are replaced in the socket quickly have a much greater chance of surviving.  Before heading to the dentist, pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse (saline or milk is recommended, and not water as it is harmful to the cells on the root surface)  it to remove debris. Put it back into the socket and allow the child to bite down on a towel to help secure the tooth. If it cannot be replaced, store it in a container of cold milk and bring it to a pediatric dentistry professional.
• Apply Pressure to a Bleeding Tongue or Mouth: Minor mouth injuries can be handled at home. If the inside of the lip is bleeding, hold it against the child's teeth for several minutes. If the tongue is bleeding, apply pressure using a towel or piece of gauze.
• Ice Painful Teeth or Mouth Wounds: If the injury is minor but painful, apply ice to the area. This can also work for more severe injuries in the time between the injury and the doctor/dentist visit. Administer a pain reliever according to the child's weight rather than their age.

Certain injuries warrant calling a dentist for kids. The folks at Pediatric Dental Group can help. If a child experiences pain or sensitivity in a tooth, pain in the jaw, or has a broken, missing or loose tooth, be sure to reach out for medical attention by calling (808) 593-8828 in Honolulu or (808) 245-2131 in Lihue.