Children are full of energy and love physical activities. They are always running, jumping, fighting–and sometimes falling, which can cause dental and mouth injuries. It is inevitable that a child will face one form of injury or another, since the day he learns to walk and run.
Accidental falls during physical sports can cause severe injuries, but in most cases these injuries are not life-threatening. Even then, parents and caregivers need to know the first aid rules to handle dental injuries before taking the child to nearest dental clinic or hospital.
When Your Child Has a Tooth Knocked Out
A knocked-out tooth can probably be replaced in its original spot, if a parent or a caregiver has followed the following procedures. It is important to hold the tooth by its crown or top only, and clean it with cold water. Preserving it in milk may be a good option before taking it to the orthodontist.
Tears and Cuts to the Lips, Gums and Tongue
Any cuts to the lip, gum or tongue can cause infection. Thus, it is very important to rinse the wound immediately with clean and (if possible) warm water. In case of bleeding, clean gauze needs to be applied with extra pressure to stop the bleeding. If the cut is deep and require stitches, it is advisable to see an orthodontist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry.
Out of Socket Tooth
A loose tooth may be left in place if it can heal itself over time. That may not be the case if the tooth is very loose, or could harm the child in any way. If the loose tooth is a primary one, it is usually not left in place, as it may hamper the development of secondary teeth.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
The first thing to do is to find and save the broken piece. The mouth should be rinsed thoroughly, and any bleeding should be controlled using pressure on the injured area. Cold compress can help with pain and swelling. An immediate consultation with a dentist can help the patient to save the injured tooth.
Broken Braces and Wires.
Many teenagers wear braces, and taking any hit to the mouth area may cause broken braces. The open end may cause discomfort in the mouth and hurt the soft tissues–tongue, gum, lip and cheek. An adult should try to cover the open end of the wire with a soft material, like gauze, a cotton ball or any clean soft piece of cloth. An urgent visit to the dentist can fix the situation before any serious damage may happen inside mouth area.
Any dental injury can cause permanent damage to the teeth, as well as scarring, infection or excessive bleeding. Children playing physical sports can prevent mouth injuries by using mouthguards.
