What Should You Do If Your Child Gets Her Tooth Knocked Out?

Summer is a land of sports and activity, especially for kids. Being out of school gives kids the opportunity to swim, play baseball, explore--and possibly get hurt. We see a ton of kids during the summertime who have chipped or knocked out a tooth playing sports, roughhousing or just being daredevils.

So what should do if your child knocks out a tooth? Let’s discuss.

What If It’s A Baby Tooth?

Most of the time, a child knocking out a baby tooth is not a serious issue. The underlying permanent tooth is most likely not affected, and the permanent teeth will continue to grow in normally.

However, sometimes the trauma of losing the tooth can cause injury to the surrounding gums or other parts of the mouth.

Schedule a visit to your child’s dentist to make sure his gums and other teeth aren’t affected.

Try To Find The Missing Tooth

If you can, find your child’s missing tooth as soon as possible. Rinse it in milk and have your child place it back in its socket and hold it in place in her mouth. Do not disturb the tooth’s root or any connecting tissues still attached.

Don’t scrub it or clean it in any way. If you can’t put the tooth in your child’s mouth, put it in a container of milk or saliva for transport to the nearest dentist.

Visit Your Dentist Immediately

When a permanent tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. The faster you can get to a dentist, the greater the chances that the tooth will reattach.

If your child is old enough to understand, have him or her hold the tooth in their cheek to keep it moist, making sure not to swallow it. Your dentist will work to reattach your child’s avulsed tooth, but there will be significant healing time. Your child may also need to eat a soft diet for a while to allow the tooth to reattach successfully.

Have questions about dental issues? Looking for a new dentist? Contact Hintz & Oakley today: (931) 526-5460.