What to Do If Your Child's Tooth Is Knocked Out

There are many reasons why your child’s tooth might be knocked out. The tooth could be lost due to a sports-related injury, or your child could lose it from a trip or fall. It’s easy for a child to lose a baby tooth because the root isn’t as long as a permanent tooth would have. Whatever the case, time is of the essence when helping preserve your child’s lost tooth.

You’ll need to reach us at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA if your child ever loses a tooth from trauma. Our skilled dentists are experts in emergency dental care and can review your child’s wound and identify the proper plan for replacing the tooth.

Before you arrive for your appointment, here are a few steps you can take to ensure the protection of your child’s tooth:

1. Handle the tooth the right way and see if it can be placed back in the socket.

You’ll need to contact a dentist if your child loses a tooth, but you must also prepare the tooth before arriving. Be sure you gently place the tooth back in the child’s socket. Always hold the tooth by the crown without touching the root. You can gently rinse the tooth with water if it is dirty, but avoid wiping it or running it over the water for too long.

For cases where you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, you can store the tooth in a cup of water or your child’s saliva. Do not store the tooth directly in water. You can also use a piece of sterile gauze over the socket in this situation to keep bleeding under control while preventing the socket from becoming infected.

2. Have your child bite down to control the bleeding.

Make sure your child bites down on the replaced tooth or the sterile gauze to ensure everything stays in place. Since the tooth is still loose or the socket is vulnerable, the child must keep biting down to prevent the possible harm from becoming worse.

3. Contact a dentist right away.

Call an emergency dentist as soon as you get the situation under control. You can reach us at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA if your child’s dental concerns have become too problematic. You can set up an appointment for us to complete an x-ray of your child’s mouth and to identify what fixes are necessary for preserving the tooth.

4. Keep the swelling under control with a cold compress over the area.

Keep a cold compress on the face to prevent swelling. It is easier for a dentist to resolve the issue if there isn’t too much swelling in the way.

We can help you during your dental emergency

Our dentists at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA are here when your child has a dental emergency. Our caring and compassionate team will ensure your child receives the care they deserve. Visit us today to learn more, and remember to keep our contact information in hand if you or anyone in your family ever has a dental emergency.