Alexandra Lutz
Of course you do your best to prevent injuries to your child's (and your own!) teeth, but accidents still happen. When they do, it's important to know some dental first aid to maximize success in treating the problem.
Most importantly, if a dental emergency is caused by a blow to the head, go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911. Head trauma can be fatal. Symptoms of serious injury may include:
• Losing consciousness
• Vomiting more than twice
• One eye dilated more than the other or eyes not responding to light.
After ruling out head trauma, assess the possibility of a broken jaw. The following symptoms may indicate a fracture:
• Limited movement of the jaw
• Pain of the jaw or ear
• Misalignment of the teeth that wasn't previously apparent
• Numbness in the chin or lower lip
• Bleeding inside the mouth
• Bruising under the tongue
• Difficulty breathing through the mouth
• Swelling in the cheek
If you suspect that your child has a fracture, go to the emergency room. Be sure to support the jaw with gentle pressure.
Fortunately, many injuries to the mouth are less serious. These are the guidelines if your child sustains minor cuts and bruises to the mouth:
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
• Control bleeding by having the child bite down on clean gauze. Go to the emergency room if bleeding lasts more than 15 minutes.
• Give an over-the-counter analgesic to minimize discomfort but never place aspirin on a broken, missing, or achy tooth.
A child's baby tooth is rarely reimplanted, but it's still a good idea to contact your dentist to see how he or she would like to handle the problem.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick up the tooth by its chewing edge and gently rinse it in a bowl of cool, still water (running water can damage the roots). Do not handle the roots; do not clean the tooth.
If possible, put the tooth back in its socket and have your child bite down on clean gauze to hold it there. If you can't reinsert the tooth, do not dry it or wrap it in tissue.
Put the tooth into a container filled with milk, saliva, or water, or have another individual hold it in his or her mouth. Take your child and the tooth to your dentist within 30 minutes of the injury. If it is after hours, call the emergency line.
If a tooth is chipped, rinse the mouth with cool water. Save all tooth fragments and contact your dentist to find out if emergency treatment is needed. Simple chips may be handled on a non-emergency basis, but teeth with exposed nerve tissue must be treated immediately to reduce severe pain and possible infection. Filling kits are available at pharmacies, but neither the ADA nor the AAPD includes these in their recommendations for emergency treatment.
If your child breaks his braces, do not attempt to remove anything. Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugarfree chewing gum. Call your dentist or orthodontist to see if the problem needs immediate attention.
Dental Emergencies are Preventable!
• Insist on mouthguards for activities with the chances of body contact, speed or falling.
• Never let your kids chew ice, popcorn kernels or hard candy.
• Never use teeth to cut or open things.
• Use only dental floss to remove items trapped in the mouth. If this is unsuccessful, contact your dentist. Never place sharp items in the mouth!
Alexandra Lutz researches parenting issues in the fields of health, psychology and education. She is a teacher and freelance writer in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
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