It can be stressful when children lose or chip their teeth because it can be very painful. Luckily, taking certain precautions ahead of time can help with stress and managing your child’s pain as efficiently as possible. While a chipped baby tooth might not seem like a big deal because a new one will grow in, there might be more damage under the surface that can lead to infection. Here are some steps you can take when a child chips or loses a tooth:
Keep Your Dentist Number on Hand:
There is no better place to get advice than from a trained professional. Most dentists will see you on an emergency basis or first thing in the morning. Chipping or knocking out a baby tooth is not something you have to go to the emergency room for, but it is important to prevent infections. When a baby tooth is chipped, it can damage the root of the tooth which will harm the permanent tooth coming in. Only your dentist will be able to determine the proper care and steps that are needed in order to ensure that your child’s teeth are healthy and cared for.
Don’t Replant a Baby Tooth
You might have heard that you can preserve teeth that have been knocked out by placing it in a glass of milk, salt water or saliva. This is true with permanent adult teeth, but with baby teeth, there is no reason to try and replace them. In fact, trying to replace baby teeth can cause major damage to the permanent teeth underneath the root, so never try and regrow them. If a tooth is knocked out of place but you can’t find it, it might have gotten shoved up into the gum. Please go to your dentist immediately so they can take an x-ray in order to remover the tooth. Never assume that the tooth fell out unless you have proof because it can cause a serious infection.
Managing Pain:
Getting a tooth ripped out, even a baby tooth, can be very painful. Have your child rinse out their mouth with water and place an ice pack on their face to help with the swelling. Your dentist can determine if extra care is needed, like a small dosage of over-the-counter painkillers. Luckily, the mouth is one of the fasted healing parts of the body, so the pain should subside in a matter of hours or days. The most important thing to watch for is an infection. Signs include a fever, heat radiating from the damaged area, or the tooth isn’t healing in a timely manner.
Children will tumble and fall, it is a part of growing up. Baby teeth will fall out unexpectedly or get chipped. But knowing how to handle the situation will help you and your child to remain calm, and your quick thinking will have your child smiling again in no time. Always contact your dentist if you have any concerns, and remember to have a fun, safe Halloween!
