Baby teeth are set to come out around the age of six or seven, that doesn’t mean the trauma shouldn’t be addressed. As kids are learning to walk, run, and play, it’s common for them to experience dental trauma, but knowing how to handle it makes all the difference. It’s important to note that baby teeth, otherwise known as primary teeth, are treated differently from adult (permanent) teeth. Here’s what to do if your child’s tooth is accidentally extracted.

STEP 1: ASSESS AND ADDRESS THE PATIENT

Before figuring out if your child lost a baby or permanent tooth, calm them down and address the injury. Stop the bleeding and make sure they’re in a more relaxed state before moving onto the next step.

STEP 2: FIND THE TOOTH

If you can, ask someone to locate the tooth while you address Step 1. Pick it up by the crown (chewing surface) rather than the root. If it’s dirty, give it a quick rinse, but don’t scrub it and avoid touching the root so as not to disturb the vulnerable cells. Replace the tooth in the patient’s mouth and cover it with gauze, asking them to bite down to keep it in place or hold it in place with their finger. Always keep the tooth moist. If your child isn’t able to do this, place the tooth in a saline solution, a glass of milk, or a container of saliva. Don’t store it in water as this could damage the root cells.

STEP 3: VISIT YOUR DENTIST

Baby tooth or not, it’s imperative to get a professional opinion. Once the tooth has been secured, head to your nearest dental clinic immediately. The dentist will quickly assess the situation and execute the appropriate solution. Depending on the circumstance, the tooth could be reimplanted and secured by a splint or temporary braces.

STEP 4: FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

This is arguably the toughest part for your kid but it’s important to stick to the doctor’s orders. They’ll be instructed to steer clear from participating in high-intensity activities that elevate the heart rate, such as contact sports, running, or dancing. This is to avoid disturbing the tooth with excessive bleeding.

Your child should also be put on a soft diet for at least two weeks, using a soft-bristle toothbrush after each meal and rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine twice a day for one week. Last but not least, schedule a follow-up visit with your dentist to ensure that everything is fine and dandy. 

Accidentally losing a tooth can be very stressful for everyone involved, but we have faith that you’ll handle it with grace. If you’ve got questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Palladium Dental team.