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What To Do If Your Child Injures a Tooth at School

Cherrywood Dental • Oct 20, 2018
Back to school season means sending your children back to the classroom and playground for another year of learning. The school playground may be filled with imaginary play, but it also tends to be a hotspot for injury to occur. As parents, we always aim to protect our children from experiencing a tooth injury, but it’s also important to know what to do if an injury does happen.

If The Injured Tooth is a Baby Tooth

If your child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected, there is no need to replace the tooth.

If a baby, toddler, or younger child injures the gums or a baby tooth:

Step 1: Apply pressure to the area if there is any bleeding with a piece of cold, wet gauze. If your child is old enough to follow directions, ask them to bite down on the gauze to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

Step 2: Offer an ice pop to suck on to reduce any potential swelling, or hold an ice-pack wrapped in a soft cloth to the cheek.

Step 3: Give your child an appropriate dose of acetaminophen or children’s ibuprofen as needed for pain.

Step 4: Call your dental office to discuss the injury. Your dentist will let you know if the child should be scheduled for an appointment.

Step 5: Watch for any swelling of the gums, continued pain, a fever, or a change in the color of the tooth.

If a Permanent Tooth Comes Out Completely

If a permanent tooth comes out, it is considered a dental emergency and your dental office should be contacted right away. Permanent teeth have the best chance of being saved when replaced within 15 minutes, so it’s vital to act quickly and follow the guidelines below.

Step 1: Collect all pieces of the tooth. Only hold the tooth by the crown, or chewing end, of the tooth. Do not touch the root of the tooth.

Step 2: Place the tooth in a balanced salt solution (like Save-A-Tooth), if you have it. If not, place the tooth in a saline solution or a container of milk or your child’s saliva. Do not place the tooth in water.

Step 3: Rinse the mouth with warm water only.

Step 4: Call a dentist right away to schedule an emergency dental appointment.

Step 5: If the tooth is being stored in a container, have your child bite down on a gauze pad to relieve bleeding and pain.

If a Permanent Tooth Cracks or Breaks Off 

Step 1: Collect all pieces of the tooth.

Step 2: Rinse the mouth with warm water.

Step 3: Call your dental office right away to schedule a visit.

Think Preventatively

Approximately 50% of kids experience some type of tooth injury during their childhood. Discussing the importance of playground safety and learning how to follow the rules on the playground will help to keep your kids safe and their teeth protected.

Always make sure your kids are protected with:
  • Mouthguards
  • Helmets
  • Protective gear
  • Childproofing your house

Should My Children Be Wearing Mouthguards?

There are mouthguards available that you can buy and fit yourself from the drugstore. However, the best way to protect your child’s teeth is to have a custom-fit mouthguard created by your dentist. When your dentist creates a custom-fit mouthguard, an impression of your child’s teeth is taken. Then, using dental putty, your dentist will form the groves and divisions of each tooth to make a replica of your child’s smile. The replicated mould is sent to a dental lab where the mouthguard is made of durable materials.

Store-bought mouthguards are only able to form the general shape of the tooth line whereas professional and custom-made mouthguards are built to specifications of your child’s exact tooth alignment for a better fit and added protection.

Think prevention by scheduling an appointment with Cherrywood Dental Associates to have a mouthguard made for your active children today.
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