Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog
Knocked Out: How to Handle Tooth Trauma in Kids
Duane Kelly
Dental emergencies such as knocked out or broken teeth can happen at any time. If you child suffers a tooth trauma, it is vital that you get to a dentist as soon as possible in order to increase the chance that the tooth can be saved. Wherever the trauma happens, below are some simple steps you should take.
Assess the Damage
You should comfort the child and check that there are no serious injuries to the head, jaw or neck. If you suspect any of these injuries, you should call emergency medical services to have the child taken to hospital for treatment.
Reassure the Child
Knocking a tooth out of your mouth can be a traumatic experience. You should reassure the child that the dentist will be able to look after them and may be able reattach the tooth. Discourage the child from poking or prodding the wound in their gum.
Hold the Tooth Using the Crown
You should never attempt to replace a displaced baby tooth. Trying to reinsert a baby tooth could cause damage to the adult teeth which are developing behind the gums. To avoid infection, you should hold the tooth using the crown (the part which is normally visible), not the root. Touching the root could transfer bacteria onto the root, which could lead to an infection once the tooth is reattached.
Rinse the Tooth
You should then rinse any dirt of debris from the tooth using water which is at room temperature. Avoid touching or scrubbing the root of the tooth.
Attempt to Reinsert an Adult Tooth
If you are dealing with a knocked out adult tooth, you should then attempt to gently reinsert it. Ask the child to the tooth in place using gauze. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, you should keep it moist by placing it in a clean container and covering it in water or milk.
Get to the Emergency Dentist
Once you have reinserted the tooth or secured it in a container, it is vital you transport the tooth and the child to a emergency dentist as soon as possible. If possible, ring ahead to let the dentist know you will be attending the clinic.
While knocking a tooth loose is generally not a life threatening injury, it can have a long lasting effect on your child's self-confidence and appearance. However, with prompt action the outlook for your child's smile is good.
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You may have heard that cavities and oral decay are linked to things like heart disease, and, in fact, your oral health affects your entire body. Hi! My name is Brenda, and I like to look at things holistically. Because of that, I created this blog. I plan for its posts to look at the link between dental issues and other health issues. I hope that the people who visit this blog learn a few tips about oral care as well as gaining a deeper understanding of why it's so important. Healthy smiles indicate a healthy body, and I hope this blog helps you achieve both!