FIRST AID – TEETH INJURIES

Losing a baby tooth is quite natural and no need to try to replace it. But if a permanent tooth knocks out, it’s a dental emergency. Permanent teeth have the best chance of being saved when replaced within 15 minutes. So it is important to act quickly follow the given first aid guidelines.

Many other dental injuries are less urgent, but may need to be looked at by a dentist. Most dental injuries in preschool and school-age kids happen from falls, while dental injuries in teens are often sports-related. If you think your child has signs of head or other injuries, call your doctor.

What care to be given?

If a baby, toddler, or young child injures the gums or baby teeth:

• Apply pressure to the area (if it’s bleeding) with a piece of cold, wet gauze. If your child is old enough to follow directions, ask him or her to bite down on the gauze.
• Offer an ice pop to suck on to reduce swelling, or hold an ice-pack wrapped in a washcloth to the cheek.
• Give acetaminophenor ibuprofen as needed for pain.
• Watch for swelling of the gums, continued pain, a fever, or a change in the color of the tooth.
• Visit a dentist.

If a permanent tooth is chipped or broken:

• Collect all pieces of the tooth.
• Rinse the mouth with warm water.
• Call a dentist right away to schedule a visit.

Get Medical Care if a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out:

Visit a dentist or emergency care after following these steps:  

• Find the tooth. Call a dentist right away or go to an emergency room if you aren’t sure if it’s a permanent tooth (baby teeth have smooth edges).
• Hold the tooth by the crown (the “chewing” end of the tooth) — notthe root.
• Place the tooth in a hank’s balanced salt solution if you have it. If not, place the tooth in a saline solution or a container of milk or the person’s own saliva. You also can place the tooth between your lower lip and gum. Don’t store it in tap water.
• For older kids and teens, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. Have your child bite down on gauze to help keep it in place.
• If the tooth is stored in a container (rather than back in the socket), have your child bite down on a gauze pad or handkerchief to relieve bleeding and pain.