When your child comes running up holding a knocked-out tooth in their hand, you may be tempted to start panicking. Naturally, this sight is not one you normally see, but fortunately, there are steps you can take that will not only keep everyone calm but also ensure your child gets the professional care they need.
How to Handle a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
With every tooth that erupts, the goal is to help it stay in place until it’s time for it to fall out on its own. However, when this process happens forcefully because of a sports-related injury or accidental fall, you may worry it will create problems for your child’s growing smile.
If your child knocks out one of their baby teeth, do not be alarmed. You don’t need to worry about bringing it to their emergency dental appointment, as it will not need to be reinserted. Instead, if the tooth fell out too early, their dentist may recommend a space maintainer. This prevents healthy nearby teeth from shifting out of alignment to fill the gap.
How to Handle a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Once your child’s permanent teeth begin to erupt, it’s pivotal to take every precaution possible to protect their smile. However, even if they wear a protective sportsguard and practice healthy habits at home, accidents can still occur. When they do, and it causes your child to lose one of their permanent teeth, here’s what you can do:
- Retrieve the tooth, holding it only by its crown
- Gently rinse off any dirt and debris, being careful not to submerge the roots, as this can kill the cells needed to keep it viable
- Try to reinsert it into the socket and have your child bite down gently to hold it in place
- If this doesn’t work, place the tooth in a small container of milk and bring it to their emergency dental appointment
Once your child is in the dentist’s office, their team will evaluate the situation and determine if the tooth can be reattached. If so, a splint will likely be used to help stabilize the tooth until it integrates. If too much time has passed, their dentist may discuss replacement options, such as a dental bridge, to give them a fully restored smile.
Facing a knocked-out tooth may not be what you want to experience, but if you keep calm and follow these steps, you can be sure that you and your child will come through the injury just fine.
About the Practice
Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry has multiple board-certified pediatric dentists who provide more than generalized and restorative care. They also offer emergency dental treatment to young patients who have knocked out a tooth or suffered another serious dental injury. Using accurate technologies and high-resolution imaging, our team can restore smiles and improve confidence for the future. If your child has lost a baby or a permanent tooth, visit our website or call (413) 779-3136.