The trajectory of your entire day changes the moment your child knocks out a tooth. Whether it was while playing with their friends outside, riding their bike, or participating in sports, your otherwise stress-free afternoon can be consumed with an anxiety-inducing trip to the office of their emergency dentist. Knowing the right steps to take can make the entire process much more seamless. So, to learn some must-know tips for handling a knocked-out tooth, read on!
The First Step in Handling a Knocked-Out Tooth
The first step in handling a knocked-out tooth is assessing the situation. Is your child experiencing a potentially life-threatening symptom, like the inability to breathe or swallow? If so, then head to your nearest ER or call 911. Is your child okay, just a bit scared? Then call their emergency dentist ASAP. Remember, for the highest chances of saving the tooth, they must get treatment within 60 minutes of the incident.
The Next Best Steps
Once you’ve determined where to turn to for help, it’s time to locate the tooth. When picking it up, avoid the roots. Instead, securely hold it by the crown (the chewing surface). If it’s dirty, gently rinse it with clean, running water. Otherwise, attempt to carefully insert the tooth back into the socket. If it doesn’t slide in easily, don’t force it. Preserving it in a small container of cold milk or saliva will work. From there, head to the dentist’s office. Remember to breathe and do your best to stay calm. Both you and your child will be okay!
The Importance of Filling the Gap
Ideally, the new gap in your child’s smile will be filled with their natural tooth. However, if the tooth cannot successfully be reinserted, the space will still need to be addressed. Otherwise, the surrounding teeth can begin to drift, negatively impacting the look and function of their smile. Therefore, their dentist will most likely recommend a space maintainer, dental bridge, or dental implant depending on their age, dental needs, and smile goals.
Handling a knocked-out tooth can be stressful, especially if your child is scared or in a lot of pain. Fortunately, this is a common occurrence, so your dentist is highly-experienced in treating this dental emergency. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your dental office the moment the incident occurs so they can guide you through the above steps!
About the Practice
Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is made up of a team that is passionate about maintaining, restoring, and enhancing kids’ smiles. To do so, our compassionate, skilled, experienced team offers a comprehensive array of services at our Randolph dental office, including last-minute emergency dentistry. So, if your child accidentally knocks out a tooth, we’re here to help! You can schedule an appointment with our team via our website or by phone at 781-767-7200.