The Steps to Take If Your Child Knocks Out a Tooth

“My child knocked out a tooth” is surprisingly not an uncommon phrase many dentists hear nowadays. Although no one ever wants to face this type of problem, the reality is that kids can be easily injured while playing sports or riding a bike. Being prepared for this type of injury is important, which is why an emergency dentist is here to explain what steps you should plan to take should your little one accidentally lose a tooth.

Why Losing a Baby Tooth is a Problem

If your child loses a baby tooth, you might think it’s pure luck, especially since these teeth are designed to fall out anyway. The truth, however, is that losing one too early can pose a significant problem for your little one. Nearby healthy teeth may try to realign and close the gap. As a result, they will shift out of place and create even bigger problems for your child’s smile and bite. When this happens, it usually requires that the child undergo orthodontic treatment to fix the problem later on.

Instead, if a baby tooth is lost, a dentist will need to go in and put in a space maintainer. This allows the remaining healthy teeth to stay in place while giving the gap the room it needs to welcome a permanent tooth when it’s time.

What To Do When a Tooth is Knocked Out

When your child discovers they’ve knocked out a tooth, certain steps will not only help keep them calm but also reduce the potential for further damage. These include:

1. Retrieving the tooth and rinsing off any debris quickly with lukewarm water, holding it only by the crown.
2. Inspecting the tooth to ensure it is not cracked or damaged.
3. Trying to reinsert the tooth into your child’s socket. If possible, have them bite down to hold it in place (gently).
4. Placing the tooth in a jar of milk or saliva if it cannot be reinserted into the socket. This will keep it viable as long as you get to the dentist’s office within an hour of the incident occurring.
5. Go to the local ER if your child’s dentist’s office is closed for the day.

An important note to remember is that if your child’s tooth is a permanent one, and it has been knocked out, the dentist may be able to reattach it using a splint. If it is a baby tooth, the only solution is to have a space maintainer inserted.

No matter the method of treatment recommended by the dentist, getting your child treated right away is the best way to ensure the health of their smile for the future.

About the Author
Dr. Mark Simeone is an emergency dentist who understands accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. When dealing with children, these dental injuries can be more common, especially because of their active lifestyles. When a tooth is knocked out, though, it’s imperative that parents bring their child in as soon as possible. Contact us at (610) 383-1600 if your little one is suffering from a dental injury that needs immediate treatment.