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Losing baby teeth is a natural milestone for children, but it may still come with minor discomfort. First-time parents may be unsure of the best ways to care for little ones whose primary teeth have recently fallen out. Luckily, you can follow a few simple care tips to keep your child safe and healthy following a lost tooth.

What to Do When Your Child’s Baby Teeth Fall Out 

1. Rinse the Area

baby teethWhen a primary tooth falls out, it’s normal for some bleeding to occur. Encourage your child to rinse with warm saltwater to wash out any blood and sterilize the gums. You can also have them use a warm washcloth, teabag, or piece of gauze to address bleeding and soothe the area. Bleeding generally stops within 10 minutes.

2. Alleviate Discomfort

Your child might complain of mild pain after losing a tooth, in which case you can apply a topical, over-the-counter anesthetic. If you don’t have any on hand, you can also give them an appropriate dose of children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

3. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Caring for remaining primary teeth with regular brushing and flossing is essential since they hold space for secondary teeth to erupt. But instruct your child to avoid brushing the socket for the first few days after losing a tooth. This area may be tender, and brushing it can cause irritation. Once it heals, they can resume brushing in the area.

 

If you have a little one whose baby teeth have begun to fall out, maintain their regularly scheduled dental appointments to ensure healthy permanent teeth develop too. As a trusted pediatric dentist’s office on Oahu and Maui, Pedodontic Associates offers quality oral care for children and teens. Their office has served patients for more than 25 years and received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau® and Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Learn more about their services online, or call (808) 735-1733 to make an appointment in their Honolulu office, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului.

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