Trauma.
Accidents happen, especially with children. In fact, over 25% of 15 year-old kids in Australia will have had some sort of trauma to their anterior teeth. The best and most obvious course of action is to contact your dentist as time is very important in trauma injuries.
First Aid.
If a tooth is knocked out:
Baby teeth
- Place it in a glass of water by your bed, go to sleep and wait for the tooth fairy to come!
Adult teeth
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown. The crown is the part of the tooth that is visible in the mouth, not the root which holds the tooth into bone.
If the tooth is clean, place it straight back in its socket (hole) as best you can.
- If the tooth is dirty, wash it for a few seconds in water, or preferably milk and place it back in its socket.
- If you can't replace the tooth yourself, place it in a glass of milk.
- Get your child to the dentist immediately with the tooth. The tooth may or may not be able to be replaced but it has a better chance if you bring it with you!
- Time is important in replacing teeth so call us as quickly as you can.
If teeth are damaged but not knocked out:
- Clean any soft tissue (gums/cheeks) wounds with running water
- Stop the bleeding by adding pressure to the injured area. Use gauze or cotton wool for 5 minutes.
- Place any chipped or broken teeth fragments in milk or water if you can find them. Sometimes they are able to be used again, other times not. The dentist will discuss this with you.
- See the dentist as quickly as possible.
If you are interested in more detailed information about trauma and the management of a traumatic injury, a web site has been established by a group of dental trauma experts in Copenhagen, Denmark. Please click the link below