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What To Do If Your Child's Tooth Gets Knocked Out

29 December 2016 by Harold Coleman

Your child can accidentally lose a tooth in many ways, from accidents on playground equipment to a fall off of a bike. Knowing what to do if this happens can help to preserve your child's smile and keep the little one calm during the crisis. Here are a few things you should know to do if your child's tooth gets knocked out.

Locate The Tooth

The first thing you should after checking to make sure your child has no other injuries is to locate the missing tooth. Teeth can sometimes be replaced under the right circumstances. Once you find the tooth, clean it off and see if you can gently place it back in your child's tooth socket until you can visit the dentist. If you can't place it in the socket, take steps to preserve the tooth until you arrive at the dentist. You can place it in a small container of milk to keep it moist, or if milk isn't available, place it inside of a damp paper towek, which can then be placed in a plastic bag.

Keep Your Child Calm

Your child may be scared and in pain, so take steps to keep your little one calm. Advise your child not to touch the affected area of the mouth, and use sterile gauze to clean up any blood around the wound. Place a pillow under your child's head while you drive to the dentist's office to keep him or her comfortable, and speak calmly to your little one to let him or her know that everything will be okay.

Discuss Tooth Replacement

Depending on the condition of the tooth, your dentist may be able to put the existing tooth back in place. If this is not an option, you may want to discuss tooth replacement options. A dental implant or a dental bridge may be possible if your child has lost a permanent tooth. If, however, your child has lost a baby tooth, your dentist may advise to simply let the permanent tooth grow in. No matter which option you select, be sure to talk to your child about his or her feelings. Having a missing tooth can impact your child's self-confidence, so reinforce just how great your child looks.

Getting a tooth knocked out can be a traumatic experience, but if you take the appropriate steps, you can preserve your little one's smile and keep your child calm as well. For more information or assistance, contact a local dentist, such as McMillin Jeff DDS.

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