It’s a sunny day, and your child is busy playing outside with their friends when suddenly, they run up holding one of their teeth while crying and appear panicked. As a parent, this scenario may come as a shock, but it happens all the time. Staying calm is key, as it can help avoid chaos and worry, but what should you do about the situation? How should you handle your child’s knocked-out tooth? Read on to learn when it’s time to see an emergency dentist for children.

Steps to Address a Knocked-Out Tooth

If your child sustains a knocked-out tooth, it’s important to first determine whether it’s a primary or permanent one, as your approach will likely be a bit different. For example:

Primary Tooth

If it is a primary tooth that is knocked out, your child’s dentist will not attempt to reinsert it. Before reaching their office, you’ll need to make sure there are no additional injuries to their mouth or face. You can have your child bite down on a clean washcloth and use a cold compress near the affected area to minimize swelling and bleeding.

After arriving at the dentist’s office, you can expect the socket will be examined to determine if a space maintainer is necessary. This special device will only be required if it appears the permanent tooth will not erupt anytime soon. Its placement will help prevent nearby teeth from shifting out of alignment and allow the permanent tooth to push through the gums without obstruction.

Permanent Tooth

If your child comes to you with one of their permanent teeth, you’ll need to take a different approach, one that includes:

• Making sure the tooth is only held by the crown, not its roots, as this will keep it viable.
• Gently rinsing off any dirt or debris before trying to reinsert it into the vacant socket. If this is not possible, you can place your child’s tooth in a container of milk or saliva to keep it moist. Never use water, as this can damage the root.
• Having your child rinse their mouth to flush out any blood or debris left behind.
• Calling their dentist’s office to report the incident and get an emergency appointment.

Once arriving for their scheduled visit, which will likely be within an hour, their dentist will carefully examine the tooth to determine if it can be reintegrated with the bone and tissues. If so, a splint will be created to encourage reattachment.

If the tooth is no longer viable or is too badly damaged, the dentist will discuss ways to fill the gap, either with a dental bridge or a partial denture.

A knocked-out tooth is certainly unexpected, but by remaining calm and reaching out to your child’s dentist for help, you can make sure their smile receives the best possible care when they need it most.

About the Practice
Parker Dental & Orthodontics consists of eight dentists who practice in various locations throughout Alabama and Mississippi. Providing high-quality dentistry, our caring approach is met with appreciation by countless patients, including many children. When an emergency occurs, our team is here to provide timely care, especially when dealing with knocked-out teeth. This alarming problem can cause parents to panic, but with our help, we can provide effective tips to avoid chaos; instead, making sure each child receives the care they need. If you are unsure how to handle a knocked-out tooth, contact us via our website or by calling (251) 304-9129.