Any kind of trauma in the mouth is typically called a dental injury. Kids are usually very active, they play sports and run a lot. Unfortunately, that can lead to falls and dental injuries as a result. Such incidents are common in pediatric dentistry, and in this article we will talk about types of tooth injuries in kids.
Types of Tooth Injuries in Kids
The treatment of tooth Injuries in kids often depends on whether they have permanent baby teeth at the time of injury.
Broken or Chipped Baby Tooth
When a tooth is broken, such complications as damaged nerves, gums, and a jawbone can also be the case. Sometimes, these issues can be spotted only by a dentist with thorough examination. This means that even when the injury is done to the baby tooth and not the permanent one, it still requires timely and proper attention.
Another danger of a broken baby tooth is its sharp edges, which can disrupt tissues in a child’s mouth. In some cases, it is possible to preserve the broken tooth by smoothing its edges or restoring it with dental raisin. It is advisable to try keeping the broken tooth until it falls out naturally to avoid undesirable oral health complications in the future. However, in other cases, especially if the tooth is broken at a gum line, it will have to be extracted.
Broken or Chipped Permanent Tooth
Broken or chipped permanent teeth have similar complications as in cases with broken baby teeth. Dentists usually try to preserve a damaged permanent tooth, unless it is severely broken and can not be repaired. Treatment of a broken permanent tooth can include:
- Reattaching the broken fragment to the tooth, if it is still present
- Using a dental crown restoration to cover and protect the tooth
- Restoring the tooth with a filling material
- Applying root canal treatment in cases when the nerves are damaged
Dislodged or Loose Baby Tooth
If a child fell or got a facial impact some other way, the teeth, especially the front teeth, can become loose or dislodged. After a dentist evaluates the situation, they can decide if the tooth can be kept to heal or if it is better to be extracted. The extraction is needed to prevent the child choking on the tooth if it falls out completely. Dislodged baby teeth are also removed when they can negatively influence the bite of a child.
Dislodged or Loose Permanent Tooth
The indications of a dislodged or loose permanent tooth can look like:
- Pain in the area of the impacted tooth
- Gums bleeding
- Sharp pain or tenderness when the tooth is touched
- Physical sensation of the tooth being loose in its socket
Fortunately, in a lot of cases a dislodged tooth can be repositioned properly in the socket and heal with time. Sometimes a dentist can also use stitching to keep the tooth in the socket. Keep in mind that a dislodged or loose permanent tooth is a serious trauma and it is not likely to heal on its own. That is why it is crucial that you seek professional help as soon as possible.
Knocked-out Baby Tooth
When we say that the tooth is knocked out, we mean that it is completely dislodged from its socket. If it happens to a baby tooth, we still strongly recommend visiting your dentist right away to make sure that no harm is done by the impact to the nerves, blood vessels, gum, or the jaw bone.
Knocked-out Permanent Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is considered to be a dental emergency. Prompt professional treatment, ideally within the first 30 to 60 minutes, is necessary in such cases. This way the tooth is more likely to survive and heal.
However, there is some first aid you can attempt while you are waiting to be admitted by your dentist. Try to reinsert the tooth into its socket right away. If it is impossible, keep the tooth in milk or a saline solution until you arrive at the dental office. If not too much time has passed since the injury and the tooth is properly stored, it has a chance of being reinserted into the socket and surviving.
Do not Postpone a Visit to a Dental Office
It can truly be a big challenge to prevent a child from getting a tooth injury. If this happens, make an appointment with a dental specialist as soon as possible. A highly qualified family dentist in Glendora Family Dentistry will help your child preserve a healthy smile.
