quick clicks

preteenagers today articles

preteenagers today q&a

teenagers today articles

teenagers today q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Children's Dental Emergencies

A Parent's Guide to Chips, Fractures and Tooth Avulsions

By Shannon McKelden

The recommendation for a knocked-out tooth has been to put it into milk and head for the dentist. That still stands, though both Drs. Landgren and Vann agree that the child's saliva (even bloody) works if milk is not available. The International Association of Dental Traumatology even suggests that the tooth can be tucked between cheek and gum for transport, though obviously only in an older child not in danger of choking on the tooth.

The best thing to be done for an avulsed permanent tooth, though, is to put it back into the socket. The tooth should first be rinsed with water, but not scrubbed. The root of the tooth should not be touched. Gently replace the tooth in the socket if able and hold it with sterile gauze or a clean washcloth.

Most important, seek dental help immediately. "The prognosis for avulsed teeth quickly decreases the longer the tooth is out of the socket," Dr. Landgren says.

Replacing an avulsed primary (baby) tooth is not recommended, but loss of a primary tooth is no less important than that of a permanent tooth. Primary teeth serve as "placeholders" for incoming permanent teeth, maintaining proper spacing in the mouth before permanent teeth come in.

Also, the underlying permanent tooth may have been injured by the impact at the time of the accident, so it is just as important to have that checked out. Close monitoring may be necessary to ensure the permanent tooth did not sustain damage.

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.