Child Knocked a Tooth Out? Here’s What To Do

As parents, every little thing that happens to our children is a significant cause for concern –and understandably so. We spend our days worrying about these tiny beings who bring us immense amounts of joy and happiness while simultaneously making us anxious and paranoid. Children of any age are incredibly active as their curiosity carries them towards exploring a world unbeknownst. At times, these explorations can, unfortunately, lead to all kinds of accidents, from scraping a knee to knocking a tooth out. If your little one happens to be experiencing the latter, we can help. 

First Things First

As pediatric dentists, we often tend to patients in this exact situation. While there is no reason to panic in the majority of cases, it is still important to contact your dentist and bring the child in for a checkup. This precaution applies to children with both baby or permanent teeth. Depending on the severity of the injury, children may experience a wide range of pain levels, from none at all to severe. In the case of baby teeth, the good news is that these are not as deeply rooted as permanent teeth and are less likely to leave permanent damage. That being said, all injuries caused by trauma to the mouth should be checked by a specialist.

Assess the Situation

If your child knocked one of their baby teeth out, the first step is to locate the tooth to avoid choking. Oftentimes children can unexpectedly swallow a tooth that has come loose or been knocked out. If the fallen tooth is permanent; attempt to reinsert the tooth in its socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in saltwater or milk in order to keep it moist. Please do not leave it in a dry place such as a cloth or napkin as it can significantly reduce the chances of it reattaching. Contact your dentist as soon as possible, make an appointment, and bring the tooth with you. 

For lost baby teeth, please do not attempt reinsertion. In these cases, we will conduct an oral exam to check for damage to the incoming permanent tooth and nerves and ensure there is sufficient space for the new tooth to grow in. Remember that, depending on the child’s age, the baby tooth might have been getting ready to come out anyway and can be treated as if the tooth had fallen out naturally. Is that the tooth fairy I hear?

Contact Your Dentist

We understand that a loose or lost tooth of any kind can be alarming for both parents and children. Most people are not sure how to proceed when this happens. If you find yourself in this situation, we encourage you to contact us and bring your kiddo in for an oral exam. We will take a look at their overall oral health and check for any damage. These exams can give parents peace of mind and ensure that we take care of any potential issues early on.  Please feel free to contact our Plantation dentists or Tamarac dentists if you have any questions or concerns. We are happy to help. 

February 26, 2021