Parent's Guide to Children's Dental Trauma

Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing your child’s permanent tooth or preventing long term damage to the area. So what do you do

when your child has an accident that involves their teeth?

Here at Derby City Pediatric Dentistry, we never want you to spend all night or weekend worrying or for your child to be in pain. If your child has an accident and there is damage to the mouth area, please view our “Dental Trauma Guide” below. We will see your child immediately if necessary. When dealing with a dental accident, time is very important. Please note, we are available after hours for dental emergencies. Contact us HERE.

What to Do if Your Child Has Dental Trauma

Primary Teeth (Baby):

1. If the tooth hasn’t moved position or is just chipped, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Korie for an evaluation.

2. If the tooth has moved position and is loose, try and gently reposition the tooth. This will allow the tooth to heal properly.

3. If the tooth is very mobile or just barely attached to the gum DO NOT reposition the tooth.

4. If the tooth completely comes out DO NOT put tooth back in its socket.

5. Lastly, if you cannot find the tooth at all, two things may have occurred. The child has swallowed it (you will see the tooth in the stool) OR the tooth has been pushed back into the gums. ALL OF THE ABOVE requires a visit to a pediatric dentist for multiple reasons. X- rays are extremely important to either establish a baseline x-ray or to determine the viability of the tooth and any necessary treatment.

Permanent Teeth:

1. ANY trauma with a permanent tooth should be seen by Dr. Korie for evaluation.

2. If a permanent tooth is avulsed (comes out completely) either put it back in ASAP or place the tooth in milk. If no milk is available then saline (contact solution) is the next choice. Do NOT put in water. The best prognosis is putting the tooth back in the socket ASAP.

Note: If other non-dental injuries have occurred, visit the Emergency Room immediately for evaluation and then contact Dr. Korie.

Think Prevention!

There are a number of simple precautions to take to avoid accident and injury to your children's teeth:

  • Have your child wear a mouth guard for appropriate sports activities and a well-fitting helmet when biking, skating, or riding a scooter.

  • Instruct children to use scissors properly (supervised if a young child), and NEVER his/her teeth to cut or tear things.

  • Supervise young children and do not let them run around with objects in their mouth (eg. tooth-brush, pencils, etc.).

  • Reduce trip hazards in your home and use gates to block stairways and dangerous areas from young children.

  • Visit Derby City Pediatric Dentistry every 6 months to make sure your child's teeth are healthy and strong.