Do You Know What to Do if Your Child Has a Tooth Knocked Out?

There’s no question that kids can be rough and tumble little folks, and it’s not difficult for them to knock a tooth out during a sporting accident, as a result of a fall, or even just out playing on the playground. But do you know what to do if you find your child with this issue? Some parents wonder if a baby tooth even needs attention, while others head straight to the emergency room. Below you can read some basic information but be sure to call California Dental Group for help with your child.

Assess your child’s injury on your own

The first thing you should do is to take a close look at the injury. Is it just a knocked out tooth or is there a larger injury? If it seems that it’s more serious than a simple knocked out tooth, then your best bet is likely to head to the hospital or call your child’s physician. They may need to examine your child’s face, gums, and mouth. On the other hand, if it seems that the injury is limited just to the tooth, then you need to call your local family dentist.

What to do if the tooth is knocked loose but hasn’t come out

In the event that the baby tooth has been knocked loose, give us a call at (800) 407-0161 for specific advice on how to handle it. In most cases, it’s likely that we’ll advise your child to just have soft foods for a few days so that the tooth can re-implant it. However, if the injury is more severe, we may suggest x-rays to ensure that there isn’t any nerve damage and that the secondary tooth hasn’t been damaged.

What to do if a baby tooth or a permanent tooth is knocked out

If the baby tooth has come out completely, then you likely have nothing to worry about. It may result in a temporary lisp for your child, but there shouldn’t be long-term effects on eating or speech development.

On the other hand, if it’s a permanent tooth that’s been knocked out, you’ll need to call California Dental Group right away and request an emergency appointment. The best case scenario is one in which you’re able to get your kid and their tooth to your dentist within half an hour of the tooth being knocked out. You should also do what you can to keep the tooth in good condition, including:

• Find the tooth.
• Rinse it with water but don’t scrub it.
• Keep it moist. For older children, the best option is to put the tooth in their mouth between their cheek and their gum. If your child is too young and may swallow it, then take a piece of cloth, soak it in milk, tap water, or salt water, and wrap the tooth up in it.

If you have questions about any of this, or are worried about your child’s knocked out tooth, California Dental Group invites you to call us at (800) 407-0161 today.