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When it happens naturally, losing a tooth is usually an exciting moment for a kid. But when teeth are knocked out due to an accidental injury, the situation can be both urgent and unpleasant. Fortunately, if you know how to respond to these incidents, you can help protect your child’s oral health and help preserve their smile. To help you stay prepared for these events, here are a few simple emergency dental care tips to follow.

How to Protect Your Little One’s Smile When They Knock Out a Tooth

Handle With Care

If you can locate the tooth, pick it up by the crown—or the top portion—only. Handling a tooth by the roots may cause damage that will make it unsalvageable.

Reinsert Adult Teeth Only

emergency dental careOften, parents will wonder if it’s best to reinsert a tooth that has been knocked out. If it’s an adult tooth, you can try to reinsert it into the socket to help preserve it. However, you should leave it out if it’s a baby tooth. Trying to force a baby tooth back into the socket may harm incoming adult teeth.

Preserve the Tooth in Saliva

Saliva—either from your child or yourself—is the best substance to put a knocked out tooth in if it can’t be reinserted. The natural enzymes found in saliva can help preserve the roots and nerve endings until you receive help from an emergency dental care provider. If saliva isn’t an option, milk is a good alternative.

Rinse & Ice the Injury

Once the tooth is preserved, tend to your child’s injury to reduce the risk of infection and other oral hygiene problems. First, have them rinse with a saltwater solution and spit out any dirt or debris that may be in the mouth. Next, place a clean cloth over the injury until bleeding stops. When bleeding has stopped, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area to reduce swelling.

Don’t Wait to See a Dentist

After you’ve provided first aid to your child, call their pediatric dentist and see if you can arrange emergency dental care. To improve your odds of tooth preservation, the sooner you can receive treatment, the better. The dentist will clean the injured area and carefully reinsert the tooth, if possible. Restorative treatments—such as crowns—may also be used to revitalize your child’s smile. 

 

Dedicated to helping children develop good oral health, La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry in La Crosse County, WI, is an exceptional resource to have when you need emergency dental care. Catering to younger patients, these pediatric dentists understand how to treat mouth injuries in a way that minimizes pain and promotes a proper recovery. Utilizing state-of-the-art tools, these providers can also take steps to restore your little one’s smile to its pre-accident condition. To learn more about their services, visit this children’s dentist online. For appointments—including emergency care—call (608) 782-4054.

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