When your child wiggles out their tooth that has been loose for the past week and then they set it under their pillow, eagerly awaiting a visit from the Tooth Fairy, it’s just about the cutest thing ever. But what about if your child knocked out a tooth unexpectedly?!
While this can be terrifying to your youngster in the moment, it can be stressful for you, as well. Like anything that happens unexpectedly, it’s always better to have a plan.
Keep reading to find out what you should do immediately after the tooth loss, as well as ways their emergency dentist can restore their pain-free smile.
What Should You Do Immediately After Your Child’s Tooth is Knocked Out?
It can be a traumatic time for your child, so try to be comforting and empathetic. You’ll want to find the tooth since there is a good chance it can be reimplanted within 60 minutes of the accident. When you locate the tooth:
- Hold the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the roots.
- Be sure the tooth is not fractured and is completely intact.
- If the tooth is dirty, briefly clean it in a bowl of lukewarm tap water. It’s vital for reattachment to keep the root’s surface cells alive.
- Attempt to insert the tooth back into the socket. If it doesn’t slide in easily, don’t force it. Instead, have your child bite down on a paper towel or gauze until they get to the dentist’s office.
- If their tooth won’t insert into the socket, store it in their cheek, a small container of saliva, or a glass of cold milk.
- Get to their dentist as soon as possible. If the office is closed, then go to your local emergency room.
What Can Your Child’s Dentist Try to Do After Their Tooth is Knocked Out?
If a permanent tooth has been cleanly knocked out, there’s a good chance your child’s dentist can reattach it. This process, which uses a thin metal or plastic wire, is actually a simple one.
A knocked-out baby tooth, however, will most likely require a space maintainer. This metal appliance is inserted in the lost tooth location to help keep that area open so the permanent tooth underneath it can adequately emerge.
When the tooth cannot be reattached, usually the dentist will recommend a dental bridge. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial ones by “bridging the gap” where the tooth used to be. There are removable bridges that can be detached and cleaned or fixed bridges that can only be removed by your child’s dentist.
You want to protect your child, but sometimes accidents happen. If their tooth gets knocked out, comfort them, try to have the tooth reattached as soon as possible, and consult their dentist if that is not a viable option.
About the Practice
At Salvaggio Dentistry, we are proud to have a dental office that caters to the needs of every unique individual in Brampton. Our patients may be very different, but thanks to our team they can all have a beautiful set of teeth in common. We are open until 8 p.m. during the week and even offer Saturday appointments. With same-day appointments and extended hours, we are the right choice for children’s emergency dentistry. If the unexpected happens, be sure to call us at (289) 569-0721 and visit our website to learn about all our dental services.