Dental Health Tips

Emergency Tooth Injury Tips Every Parent Should Know

Summertime for kids means riding bikes, outdoor fun and playing with friends. For thousands of children each year, it can also mean serious tooth injuries. Children under the age of 15 account for 75 percent of all lost, broken, loosened or chipped teeth, with two-thirds of tooth trauma occurring outdoors. Advances in dental care have greatly increased the odds that injured teeth can be replaced or repaired, but parents must act quickly in these emergency situations.

"What is most important to remember when dealing with a tooth injury such as a broken, chipped or lost tooth is the timing. Following the initial impact, the tooth begins to gradually die within 15 to 30 minutes," said Roger C. Smith, DDS, dental director of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. "Seeking immediate dental care is critical after any tooth trauma."

Most tooth injuries are characterized by damage done to the two primary tissue structures: the hard tissue of the tooth and the soft tissue, or pulp, located inside the tooth. Often when a child receives a blow to the mouth, he or she does not suffer from any visible tooth damage but still may have damaged soft tissue inside the tooth. In such cases, teeth often begin to turn pink and then slowly turn gray.

Following are some precautions and tips to keep in mind when faced with chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth:

• Prepare for an emergency by posting the telephone numbers of dental professionals in an accessible, visible place, such as on the refrigerator.

• Find all parts of the chipped tooth and remember to handle the tooth by the top, not the root.

• Do not clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily.

• Reinsert the tooth into the socket, if possible. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in a cup of milk or water.

• See the dentist immediately.

For children with broken braces or wires, cover sharp or protruding portions with cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum. Do not remove any wires stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue. Instead, leave the broken pieces to be fixed by an orthodontist or dentist.

Children are exposed to all sorts of mishaps that may cause tooth injuries. Falls are the most common cause, accounting for 34 percent of all tooth trauma, followed by bike accidents at 30 percent, and sports injuries at 14 percent.

"Someone receiving a blow to a tooth, regardless of the situation, should contact the dentist right away," Dr. Smith stressed. "The dentist can then determine what course of action to take. Generally, the long-term prognosis for many patients is determined by the type of injury to the tooth and how much time elapses before treatment."