A knocked-out tooth can be an alarming discovery for any parent. One minute, your child’s smile looks fine, but minutes later, a sudden fall or ball to the face leaves them holding the detached tooth and sporting a small gap. What should you do? Are there different steps based on whether it’s a baby or a permanent one? Keep reading to learn what you can do before seeing an emergency dentist for children.
What Steps Are Necessary When Dealing with a Knocked-Out Tooth?
No matter if your child knocks out a baby or permanent tooth, the first step is to call your child’s emergency dentist for help. After explaining the situation, the team can schedule a time for you to bring them into the office.
For primary or baby teeth, do not expect the dentist to replace them, as they will need to fall out eventually on their own. However, if one or more is knocked out too early, space maintainers may be required. These prevent healthy teeth from trying to fill in the gap.
There may be some bleeding that occurs when faced with a knocked-out tooth, so plan to have your child bite down gently on clean gauze to get it to stop.
When it comes to a permanent tooth, different steps must be taken, such as:
- Rinse it off quickly, holding it only by the crown and not the roots
- Try to reinsert it into your child’s mouth and have them bite down gently
- If this is unsuccessful, you can place the tooth into a small jar of milk and bring it with you to their appointment
How Will a Dentist Address a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth?
Unlike a primary tooth that does not need to be replaced, a permanent one does. In many cases, an emergency dentist will try to reattach it, if possible. If this proves unlikely, they may suggest a dental bridge or dental implant to repair and rebuild your child’s smile so that it looks brand-new.
No matter which option your child chooses, you can be certain that the result will be a beautifully crafted smile – one that is full of healthy, damage-free teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Preece is a board-certified pediatric dentist who earned his dental degree at The Ohio State University. Passionate about young, growing smiles, he completed a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. As one of three dentists at The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry, he provides immediate care to patients experiencing dental emergencies who need help repairing their smile. If your little one has sustained a dental emergency of any kind, visit our website or call (972) 309-9992.