Children are naturally active. Their activities primarily include playing with other kids and experimenting with play tools. Their active lives make them prone to dental injuries. A fall on the playground, a sports-related accident, or even biting into something hard can lead to chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. As a parent, you might lose your cool worrying about their health, but knowing how to handle dental injuries helps you prevent oral complications.
1. Chipped or Fractured Teeth
One of the most common dental injuries among kids, a chipped or fractured tooth can cause oral sensitivity or sharp edges. If not treated right away, it might irritate the mouth. The best you can do for your little one is:
- Help them rinse their mouth with warm water
- Apply a cold compress on the impacted side of the jaw to reduce swelling
- Collect broken fragments if possible
- Visit an emergency dentist in South San Francisco, CA, for timely treatment
2. Knocked-Out/Loose Teeth
Another common issue with kids’ dental health is losing a baby tooth prematurely or an adult tooth due to injury or loose teeth. Such accidents require immediate medical intervention. But before you can reach the dentist’s office, you should:
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown. In case of a loose tooth, ask kids to not wiggle the tooth or bite down forcefully using it.
- Rinse the tooth gently with warm water
- Store the avulsed tooth in milk or saliva
- Seek emergency dental care
3. Tooth Intrusion
One dental injury that you should never ignore is a tooth sitting deep into the gums due to an accident. It’s more complicated than a knocked-out tooth. If your child struggles with this, you should:
- Do not try to reposition the tooth yourself
- Apply a cold compress on the jaw to lower the swelling
- Schedule an emergency dental visit to assess the damage
- Only a dentist can reposition the tooth without causing damage to your little one’s gum
4. Cracked Teeth
A cracked tooth can expose the tooth nerves. It can lead to intense pain and a severe risk of infection. When such a situation appears, you should:
- Help your kid rinse their mouth with warm salt water to prevent oral infection
- Ask them to stop chewing on that side of the mouth
- Use a cold compress on the jaw to control jaw swell
- See a dentist as soon as possible
5. Soft Tissue Injuries
A hard fall or plunging against the wall during playtime can cause lips, gums, and tongue injuries. Such accidents result in significant bleeding. Don’t feel lost when such mishaps happen. Be prepared for primary care.
- Rinse their mouth with warm water to clean the area
- Apply gentle pressure on the wound with a clean cloth or gauze
- If bleeding persists after 15 minutes, seek urgent dental care.
Common dental injuries in kids require quick action. Knowing how to handle different types of trauma ensures the best outcome. An emergency dentist in South San Francisco, CA, provides immediate care for serious dental injuries. Contact them right away if your child suffers a dental emergency.