I remember one afternoon playing with my daughter outside when all of a sudden she slipped and fell. As she stood up and looked at me, I realized her mouth was bleeding. She had torn her frenum (which is really common!) and even though I’ve coached parents through this scenario many times, it is another thing to experience it with your own child.
The reality is that accidents can happen quite quickly. One minute you have a happy, smiling child and the next there is a lot of blood and a lot of tears. Knowing what to do in those moments can make a big difference.
If you are from the Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton or greater South Jersey area, you may know that our office specializes in treating pediatric dental patients and acting as a resource in navigating those moments.
What should you do if your child has a tooth or mouth injury?
1. Try your best to stay calm (really!)
Parents are the point guard for their child’s emotional cues. Staying calm even when you yourself may feel scared or uncertain can help your child from becoming even more upset and will make it easier for you to look into the mouth and see what’s going on.
2. Get a good look and keep the area clean
Use warm water to clean the area so that you can see what you’re working with. If your child is really young you can try a lap exam to get a good look.
3. Save any piece if you can
If you find the tooth or chipped piece of the tooth, bring it with you when you go to see the dentist. If you can’t find the chip – ask yourself and your child where it went. If you think there is a chance your child aspirated the tooth, this requires a chest x-ray and medical evaluation promptly to evaluate.
4. Use a cold compress
If there is swelling, place a cold compress on the outside of the lip or cheek for short periods to help reduce and minimize any swelling.
5. Call your pediatric dentist
Even if the injury looks small, it’s worth having a professional opinion to rule out any trauma elsewhere. Your dentist may recommend taking an x-ray as well to make sure everything is okay.
Is it a dental emergency?
Some dental injuries can wait until your scheduled appointment. Others should be treated as soon as possible.
If your child has a head injury, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, fever, severe swelling, or possible jaw injury, you should go to the nearest emergency medical center right away.
Some common questions:
My child hit their tooth and now it is turning grey. What should I do?
This is very common with little ones and their front baby teeth. All it takes is a good fall and a couple hours or days later you may notice the front tooth turning a darker yellow, gray, or purple color. This discoloration is similar to bruising and is a sign that the tooth had trauma. In these cases it is important to continue monitoring the tooth to make sure that no sign of infection occurs, like an abscess or “bubble” on the gums. Fortunately, in many cases these teeth remain comfortable, function normally, and fall out naturally at the appropriate time.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
It depends on the extent of the chip. Teeth are made up of different layers: the enamel (outer layer), dentin, and the pulp (which contains the nerve and blood supply). A chip that involves the nerve may show a pink or red coloring in the area of the chip. When a tooth’s chip involves the nerve, it is very important a dentist look at your child and the tooth as soon as possible. Chips that involve the enamel or dentin may not always require immediate treatment, but they can still cause sensitivity to cold foods, drinks, or even air. Based on how involved the chip is or your child’s symptoms, your dentist may recommend a tooth-colored filling to fix the tooth.
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, time matters. Try to locate the tooth and act as quickly as possible. Hold the tooth by the crown (the top part you normally see in the mouth), not the root (bottom of the tooth). Touching the root can damage important cells needed to help the tooth heal properly. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk. Avoid scrubbing or using soap. Place the tooth in milk and contact your dentist immediately.
My child tore the tissue by their upper lip, what should I do?
Frenum injuries are really common with little ones, especially when toddlers are starting to become active. The frenum is the small piece of tissue that connects the lip to the gums, and because it has a good blood supply, these injuries can bleed quite a bit at first and often look worse than they actually are. Get a clean, warm washcloth and apply pressure to help stop any bleeding in the area. Cold compresses, popsicles, or chilled foods can also help with your child’s comfort and swelling. The tissue will usually heal within 1-2 weeks – keep the area clean and try to stick to softer, blander foods during healing.
Why a Pediatric Dentist Matters After a Dental Injury
Dental injuries in children need a child-focused approach.
A pediatric dentist can evaluate:
- whether the injured tooth is a baby tooth or permanent tooth
- whether the nerve of the tooth may have been affected
- whether nearby teeth or the bite were also affected
- what treatment is best for both the immediate problem and long-term development
If your child has a dental injury, don’t be afraid to call us and ask about next steps!