Your child is participating in a sporting event, and then it happens. Almost in slow motion, you see one of their pearly whites fly right out of their mouth. If this sounds familiar, then you’ll know how unsettling the situation can be, especially if you aren’t sure what to do about it. Fortunately, you can take certain steps to ensure that your little one’s smile is preserved as efficiently as possible. Read on to learn what you should do if your child has knocked out a tooth!
#1: Remain Calm
One of the best things you can do if your child is experiencing a dental emergency is to not panic. If they see you worry, they’ll worry. To avoid scaring them or making them cry, be sure to keep a level head. They’ll follow your example and won’t be as overwhelmed when trying to save their knocked-out tooth.
#2: Find & Collect the Tooth
If your little one’s baby tooth comes out due to an accident, your dentist is less likely to try to replace it in its socket. They may instead implement a space maintainer, which will help ensure there’s plenty of room for their permanent tooth to erupt properly. If an adult one was knocked out, then your main focus is to find it. Doing so may increase your dentist’s chances of preserving their natural tooth, otherwise, your child may require costly restorations to fill in the gap in their smile, like a dental bridge.
#3: Protect Their Tooth
Once you’ve located their tooth, make sure to handle it by the crown. Touching the roots can lead to further damage, which will decrease the likelihood of preserving them. Try carefully rinsing off any debris and dirt from the tooth with lukewarm water before trying to place it back in its socket. If this isn’t possible, try storing it in a glass or container of milk. Don’t keep it in water, however, as the particles can damage the surface and roots.
#4: Contact Your Emergency Dentist
After properly handling the knocked-out tooth and keeping it safe, you’ll want to head to your emergency dentist straight away. They’ll need to reattach it within an hour for the highest probability of success, so you’ll need to act fast. If you have to wait a certain amount of time until your appointment, your dental team can walk you through the best steps to make sure your little one is as comfortable as possible until they can get their treatment.
While a knocked-out tooth can be unsettling, the process of saving it doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Keep these tips in mind if your child experiences this dental emergency, and you can be sure to restore their pain-free smile in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Daood Alvi earned his dental degree from the University of Minnesota and has well over a decade of experience under his belt. He also regularly seeks continuing education to expand his expertise and techniques. He offers a wide range of advanced and comprehensive services, including children’s dentistry, emergency care, and dental bridges. If you need to schedule an appointment for your little one, visit his website or call 737-758-3676