Child Active in Sports? How to Care for Three Dental Emergencies
If you have kids that are active in sports, it's just a matter of time before you're faced with a dental emergency. Once the momentary panic has passed, you'll need to act fast to provide the proper care. If you're not sure what to do, panic-mode could prevent you from taking the proper steps to care for the injury. To make sure you're prepared when this happens, here are some simple steps you should take to care for three common dental injuries.
Loose Tooth
It doesn't take much of an impact to loosen a child's tooth, especially if they're playing rough. If your child has taken a blow to the mouth, look at their teeth. If they have a loose tooth that has been knocked loose, and it's out of place, you'll need to reposition it. Carefully push the tooth back into the proper position and get your child to the dentist as soon as possible. It's important to note that if the tooth won't move without causing your child severe pain, don't try to reposition it. Simply apply ice and head to the dentist.
Lost Tooth
If your child has had a tooth knocked out during a game, you'll need to act fast. First, you'll need to stop the bleeding. Second, you'll need to find and preserve the tooth. Have your child rinse their mouth with clean water to remove as much of the blood as possible. Next, have them bite down on clean medical gauze or a soft cloth. After you get the bleeding under control, look for the tooth.
Carefully pick it up by the biting edge. Avoid picking it up by the root, or you could damage the tooth. Place the tooth in the palm of your hand and pour a small amount of water over it to remove the debris. Place the tooth in a small container of clean water. If you have access to milk, use that instead. The natural sugar contained in the milk will help preserve the tooth. Now, transport your child and the tooth to the dentist. If the root is still intact, the dentist may be able to reinsert it into the socket to prevent permanent tooth loss.
Chipped Tooth
If your child has a chipped tooth, try to locate the broken portion. If it's large enough, the dentist may be able to reattach it using a tooth-colored bonding agent. Locate the tooth and rinse it off. Follow the same instructions as you would for a tooth that's been knocked out. Take your child and the tooth to your dentist.
If you have an active child, you never know when they're going to injure their teeth. Use the instructions provided here to care for your child during a dental emergency.
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