Losing a child’s tooth unexpectedly can be a stressful time for the child and the caregivers. Dental pain leads to 2 million emergency hospital visits, according to the American Dental Association.
If this happens to you and you actually lose a permanent tooth, it may mean that you are suffering from adult tooth loss – a condition that, if not quickly and appropriately addressed, can lead to havoc for your smile.
If your child’s tooth falls out, be it for whatever reason, this guide will assist you through some essential steps that will increase your chances and highlight the importance of pediatric dentistry.
Step #1: Reach Out to Your Child’s Dentist
When your child’s tooth falls out, the first and most important step is to call your nearest pediatric dentist in the Upper East Side. You have to act quickly, especially if it’s a permanent tooth. The first hour following tooth loss, when there is the highest chance of successful reimplantation, is referred to by dentists as the “golden hour.
What to Tell the Dentist
Give details of exactly how the tooth came out. Let your child’s healthcare provider know if your child is experiencing pain, bleeding, or swelling. If you do find the tooth, you’ll want to inform the dentist. If the dentist cannot be contacted quickly, go directly to an emergency dental facility or, in a worst-case scenario, the nearest hospital emergency room.
Step #2: Find the Dislodged Tooth
Contacting the dentist is the first response and then the next and obvious step is to try finding the fallen tooth. But handle this task with care because you don’t want it to get any worse before you receive emergency dental care.
Key Tips for Finding the Tooth
Look at the area where the accident took place. Check pockets, clothing, or other places where the tooth may have been stuck. If the tooth can be recovered or if it gets lost in a large area, ask for help from people. If found, never touch the root (that had been under the gum) of the tooth.
Damage to the root is negative because the root contains vital cells upon which reattachment depends and also decreases the chances of successful reimplantation. These situations highlight the importance of pediatric dentistry because the negative consequences of tooth loss can be severe.
Step #3: Gently Clean the Tooth
If the tooth is dirty you should clean it carefully to avoid creating bacteria or debris and introducing it to your child’s mouth.
How to Clean the Tooth
Gently rinse the tooth with milk or saline (saline is dissolvable, like salt) solution. If so, use cold, clean water if these are unavailable. Do not use soap or toothpaste, and do not scrub the tooth because this may damage the root and enamel. Grip only the crown of the tooth (also the chewing surface), not the root. If the tooth looks clean, proceed to either replant or store the tooth properly.
Step #4: Attempt to Reinsert the Tooth
Timing is important during a pediatric dental emergency, and the sooner the tooth can be reimplanted, the better; success rates will increase. If your child can tolerate this and the tooth is intact, you can attempt this step.
How to Reinsert the Tooth
Position it correctly and hold the tooth by the crown. Make sure the front and back sides of the tooth are in the right place. Push the tooth back into its socket (the space where the tooth originally sat), gently. For the tooth to stay in place, either make your child bite down softly on a clean piece of gauze or cloth.
When Not to Reinsert
When the tooth is so broken or damaged that it has exposed dentin or pulp you should not reinsert the tooth. Also, if your child is in a great deal of pain or can’t handle the procedure, do not attempt reinsertion. If you’re not really sure what the tooth’s correct alignment should be, contact your nearest healthcare provider or dentist.
If possible, skip this step and go straight to storing your tooth properly until you can see a professional such as those at Smiles and Grins.
Step #5: Properly Store the Tooth
Until a dentist can examine it, a tooth that cannot be restored to its socket can be preserved by submerging it in a bottle of milk. The tooth’s root cells may stay hydrated and active as a result.
Best Storage Methods
Milk: Put the tooth in a container with cold milk. The viability of root cells is maintained due to milk composition.
Saline Solution: A sterile saline solution is an alternative to milk, if available.
Saliva: If there is no milk or saline, have your child hold the tooth in his or her mouth – between the cheek and the gum. Check to make sure they do not swallow it.
Water: Use as a last resort. Milk or saline will give you the best protective properties, but water is better than letting the tooth dry out.
If you can safely store the tooth, then get your child and the tooth to the dentist as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Frightened by dental emergencies? Stay calm and do something about it quickly. If a permanent tooth is knocked or falls out, call the dentist immediately, keep the tooth in saliva if you can’t reimplant, and clean the tooth and try reimplanting.
By following these steps, you’ll have better information and more confidence when approaching your child during a pediatric dental emergency with caring concern for their best outlook.