If your child loses a permanent tooth, find the tooth and keep it moist, and see a dentist right away, because quick action gives the dentist a chance to save it.
When your child is active and loves playing sports, you need to keep an eye on any injuries that occur. Football, basketball and any other sport can become a contact sport in the blink of an eye and even while coaches are nearby. It takes only a little force for a child to lose a tooth. Whether you are there when the injury happens or don't find out until later, there are some specific steps you should take immediately to maximize the chances of saving the tooth.
Key Takeaways about a Child Losing a Tooth in Sports
- A dentist may be able to save a lost permanent tooth, and timing is critical.
- The tooth should not be wiped or cleaned, and it should be kept in a preservation kit or small container.
- Pressure on bleeding gums stops the bleeding, followed by a salt-water rinse.
- Ice wrapped in a towel reduces pain and swelling.
- A baby tooth is treated differently from a permanent tooth.
Find and Save the Tooth
If your child loses a permanent tooth, there is a chance that the dentist can save it. Timing in these situations is critical for successful reimplantation. Once you find the tooth, you need to take immediate steps to preserve it until you can get to the dentist. Most drugstores sell emergency dental kits that keep the tooth away from air and any contaminants, but if you can't make it to the drugstore, you can use any type of small container with milk or saliva to keep the tooth viable until you get to a dentist. Be sure not to wipe or clean the tooth, as this could damage the tissue, leave that to your dentist.
Clean the Gums
Check your child's mouth carefully for any bleeding or tissue damage. Depending on the severity of the impact, the gum socket may bleed for some time after the tooth falls out. Apply a small amount of pressure with a clean gauze or cloth until the bleeding stops. If possible, have your child perform a gentle mouth rinse with salt-water to remove any minor loose debris and help disinfect the area.
Use Ice to Reduce Inflammation
Though you can give your child ibuprofen or a product designed to dampen the pain that children may feel, ice can work just as effectively for immediate relief. Fill a simple plastic bag with a handful of ice, wrap the bag in a pillowcase or towel and apply the wrapped bag directly to your child's face over the injured area. This will not only numb his/her mouth and reduce the pain, but will also reduce any swelling and inflammation that causes additional discomfort and complicates treatment.
Making an emergency appointment with your dentist is the most important thing you can do after your child loses a tooth. The sooner you can get in to see the dentist, the greater the chance is that the dentist can save your child's tooth through reimplantation techniques. In the case of a baby tooth, the dentist can check the socket for any debris that might keep it from healing properly, recommend appropriate pain management strategies, and send you off with detailed instructions for what to do to care for your child at home. Taking all these immediate steps and seeing a dentist within the first hour are the right things to do after your child loses a tooth in a sports injury.
Lewis Estates Dental Centre offers emergency dental treatment. Book an emergency appointment to get your child treated.
Visit the clinic at 2556 Guardian Road NW, in The Grange Shopping Centre north of Safeway in West Edmonton.