When it comes to dental emergencies and your baby, don’t freak out! We can help guide you through what do before you can get into your Dentist’s office. Although baby teeth are temporary, they’re still important. If an injury to the baby teeth happens, it can negatively affect the permanent teeth that are beginning to form under the gums or cause the baby tooth to decay. This can cause a delay in grown up teeth growth.
We understand that babies and toddlers are incredibly curious and energetic! This can often lead to bumps and bruises, especially if your little one is just learning how to walk! These slips and trips are the main cause of 1 in 3 toddler’s to damage their pearly whites. However, when this happens, stay calm and keep these tips in mind for different types of injuries:
-
If they injure their tongue, gums, or lips
Often if your little one sustains an injury to their tongue, the injury will produce a lot of blood. However, stay calm as these injuries are normally fairly little. With smaller cuts, the injury will more than likely heal itself. With larger cuts on the tongue, gums or lip, take your baby to your local health care provider so that they can ensure the wound heals properly. If your child has a cut or bruise on their lips and/or gums (but their teeth are still intact) apply cold pressure such as a frozen bag of fruits/veggies, a bag of ice, or a cold washcloth.
-
If their teeth get knocked out
If a baby tooth is knocked out, most likely it will not be re-implanted by your dentist. Simply, they will just wait for the adult tooth to grow out instead. However, if your child’s permanent tooth is knocked out, your dentist can usually re-plant it within 1-2 hours after injury. If your little one’s tooth gets knocked out, find the tooth and place it in a clean container along with a little bit of your child’s spit or milk. Take your child and their tooth to your dentist or an emergency room ASAP. When you retrieve the missing tooth, be sure not to scrub it in order to clean it off. Scrubbing or other vigorous cleaning can kill the nerves on the tooth, making it impossible for your dentist to re-implant.
-
If they break off a piece of their tooth
If your child breaks off a piece of their tooth, or you see a broken line running up or down the tooth, or if you see a lump of pinkish colored flesh sticking out of the gum see your dentist or go to the emergency room ASAP. However, if the tooth simply has shifted a bit or been lodged back up in the gum (but is not broken or bleeding) you can call your dentist to see what they recommend for the time being. Your dentist can help determine whether the situation requires immediate attention or can wait.
Always consult with your Livermore Hills Dentist on what to do if something happens to your little one. Some injuries are more serious than others, but that is for your dentist to determine.
-
Hard Candy
-
Mints
-
Cookies
-
Cake
-
Pies
-
Breads
-
Muffins
-
Potato Chips
-
Pretzels
-
French Fries
-
Bananas
-
Raisins
These foods can contain large amounts of sugar or can stick to your teeth. When the food sticks to your teeth it creates a fuel source for bacteria.
As far as beverages go, water is always the best bet. Other options are milk and unsweetened tea. Try to limit your consumption of sugar containing drinks like soda, lemonade, coffee, and tea. These amounts of sugars can cause constant tooth decaying acids.
To maintain your teeth healthy visit your trusted Livermore Hills Dentist at least twice a year to get an exam and checkup. Prevent your teeth from being ruined by maintaining your dental hygiene and eating adequate foods to support your dental health.