What To Do If Your Child Has A Knocked Out Tooth

Getting a tooth knocked out can be a scary experience, especially for your child. But as a parent, it is also a stressful time for you. As your child is in pain and runs over to you with a bloody mouth, your first instinct may be to panic. In order to keep your child calm, you have to appear calm yourself, and this guide is here to help with that! If your child has a knocked-out tooth, you can be prepared on how to act appropriately. Learn how to handle your child’s knocked-out baby tooth below.

How To Handle A Knocked Out Baby Tooth

Baby teeth are supposed to fall out, although preferably on their own time is best. If a baby tooth gets knocked out, it may seem scary, but there often isn’t anything to worry about. The first action is to comfort your child and stop the bleeding. This can be done by holding a compress on the gum line where the tooth fell out. Help them rinse with some water and clean the mouth well to free the area of blood. After they rinse, apply a cotton gauze or paper towel with light pressure to ensure no more bleeding. Once things are under control and your child is not in any pain or stress, contact their dentist for a quick exam to assess their mouth and see that no tissue damage has occurred. 

What To Do If Your Child’s Permanent Tooth Gets Knocked Out

When a permanent tooth gets knocked out, it can be more serious. More urgency is needed as there is only so much time to preserve the tooth that fell out. Take the necessary steps to ensure your child’s tooth can be saved and safely inserted back into the mouth. The two primary goals in this case are stopping the bleeding and saving the tooth.

Stop the bleeding

Like losing a baby tooth, stopping the bleeding when an adult tooth gets knocked out should be the first step. This may be a scary experience for your child, so try to comfort them as you apply a fair amount of pressure on the gum where the accident happened. 

Preserve the tooth

Next, saving the tooth. This is the most important step. Try to handle the tooth carefully by avoiding touching the root and placing it in milk or water to keep it moist. Rinse off any dirt or debris from the accident. Keeping the tooth whole is crucial for inserting it back into the mouth. Try to place the tooth in the child’s mouth and have it bite down, if possible, to hold it into place. If the child is not cooperating or this part is too challenging, simply place it in milk or water and bring it to your dentist.

Contact an emergency dentist

The final step involves contacting an emergency dentist. This accident is more severe than losing a baby’s tooth and requires a visit to an emergency dentist for proper evaluation and care. Bring the tooth that fell out with you, and your dentist will be able to stabilize it into the mouth so your child can feel back to normal!

Emergency Dental Services For Children in Bedford, NH

As pediatric dentists, our team knows how to handle knocked-out baby teeth. We deal with these types of dental emergencies often and are trained to handle your child’s case with ease. We know this time can be scary for you and your child, so we want to do everything possible to make it a comfortable experience. Learn more about our emergency and pediatric dental services for patients in Bedford, NH, and call our team today at 603-471-6000.