Dental injuries to teeth in children

When the child first starts walking, they are prone to falls resulting in trauma to the face and teeth. During the first years of life, the baby teeth are very closely related to the permanent teeth, which are forming inside the bone. When an injury occurs to the baby teeth in this period, it can affect the shape, color, and/or structure of the permanent teeth, which erupt at approximately eight years of age with whitish marks or a deformation in the shape of the crown depending on the extent of the injury.

The baby tooth, if knocked out, should never be replaced. But a permanent tooth, if knocked out, should be replaced back in position as early as possible.

What to do if a permanent tooth is avulsed (knocked out)?

1) Find the tooth. Hold the tooth by the crown (the white part), not by the root (the yellow part).
2) Replant immediately, if possible.
3) If contaminated, rinse shortly with cold tap water and put the tooth back in its place. This can be done by the child or an adult.
4) Hold the tooth in place. Bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position and go to the dentist immediately.
5) If you cannot put the tooth back in, place it in a cup of milk or saline. When milk or saline is not available, place the tooth in the child’s mouth (between the cheeks and gums)
6) Seek immediately specialized dental treatment

Children between 7 and 10 years of age are more exposed to suffering avulsion due to the elasticity of the bone at this age. Good oral hygiene is absolutely necessary in the healing period.

If the tooth is broken, try to find out the broken piece and place it in water. Visit your dentist immediately with the broken piece. If the piece can be approximated, the dentist will try to reattach it back to the tooth.

Make sure your child wears mouthguards during contact sports to prevent dental injuries.