My Blog
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- fluoride (2)
- celebrity smiles (94)
- floss (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- common symptoms (1)
- oral health (37)
- oral hygiene (37)
- diabetes (1)
- smile makeover (7)
- cosmetic dentistry (23)
- veneers (8)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (6)
- orthodontics (5)
- dental implants (24)
- chipped tooth (3)
- bonding (2)
- pediatric dentistry (6)
- teething (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- oral cancer (7)
- orthodontic treatment (11)
- braces (9)
- dentures (6)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (3)
- gum disease (10)
- periodontal disease (3)
- tooth decay (18)
- crowns (9)
- local anesthesia (2)
- dental crowns (4)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (4)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- bleeding gums (1)
- bridgework (2)
- tooth pain (5)
- root canal treatment (2)
- plastic surgery (1)
- gum recession (1)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- x-rays (2)
- tooth grinding (1)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- dental injury (10)
- mouthguards (5)
- tooth extraction (1)
- toothache (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- tmd (3)
- tmj disorders (6)
- tmj (3)
- tooth wear (2)
- cancer (1)
- root canal (4)
- smoking (3)
- mouthguard (2)
- root resorption (1)
- canker sores (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- teeth wear (1)
- bad breath (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- nutrition (8)
- sugar (2)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- dry mouth (3)
- missing teeth (2)
- implant dentistry (1)
- toothpaste (2)
- restorative dentistry (1)
- teeth whitening (4)
- Family Dentist (1)
- dental care (3)
- flossing (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- snoring (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- Damaged Teeth (2)
- tooth replacement (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- dentistry (1)
- x-ray (1)
- Family Dentistry (2)
- osteoporosis (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- CAT scans (1)
- bridge (1)
- bone loss (1)
- Dental Sealants (1)
- retainer (1)
- vitamins (1)
- mouthrinse (1)
- Gums (1)
- Root Canal Therapy (1)
- extraction (1)
- stress (1)
- dental exam (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- Dentist (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- Dental Checkups (1)
- crown (1)
Once they learn to walk, there's no stopping most children. Sometimes it can be a little jarring, as when you discover your toddler on top of the kitchen counter reaching in the cupboard on tip-toes for a snack!
Fortunately, children are fairly resilient. Unfortunately, they're not invincible — some of their adventures could result in physical injuries, especially to the highly vulnerable area of the mouth.
Even if you've carefully “child-proofed” your home, it's still best to be prepared for mishaps. Here are 3 common dental injuries and how to handle them.
Soft tissue injuries. Making contact with the ground or hard objects like furniture can injure the lips, tongue, cheeks or gums and cause bleeding, cuts or bruising. First, clean the area with clean water and a cloth or gauze as best you can, making sure there aren't any trapped pieces of tooth or dirt. Apply gentle, continuous pressure with a clean cloth to control bleeding, and apply ice packs or cold compresses for swelling. Don't apply bleach, aspirin or similar medications to open wounds. If the bleeding won't stop or the wounds look serious or deep, go to an emergency room.
Chipped or displaced tooth. A blunt force mouth injury can chip or push (displace) teeth out of position. In this case try to save any chipped pieces you find — your dentist may be able to re-bond them to the tooth. A displaced tooth is a dental emergency, so contact your dentist immediately. Don't try to re-position the tooth yourself unless it's completely knocked out.
Knocked-out tooth. Actions to take with a knocked-out tooth depend on whether it's a permanent or primary (baby) tooth. If permanent, rinse the tooth with clean water. Handle it by the crown (never by the root) and gently place it back in the empty socket. If that's not possible, place the tooth between your child's cheek and gum (if the child is old enough not to swallow it by mistake. You can also place it in a glass of cold milk. Get to a dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible — minutes count for a successful reattachment. Conversely, don't try to put a primary tooth back in its socket — you could damage the developing permanent tooth beneath the gum line. But do see a dentist as soon as possible for an examination.
If you would like more information on responding to mouth injuries in children, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.
