First Aid and Safety of Dental Injuries

Dental Injuries
If a baby tooth accidently comes out, it can't - and dosen't need to be put back in. However, losing a permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Many other dental injuries are less urgent, but may need to be looked at by a dentist. Most dental injuries are less urgent, but may need to be looked at by a dentist. Most dental injuries in preschool and school - age children occour from falls, while dental injuries in teenagers are often sports related.

What to Do?:
When a baby, toddler, or young child injures gum or teeth:

• Apply pressure to the area (if it's bleeding) with a piece of cold, wet gauze.
• Offer an ice pop to suck on to reduce swelling.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for pain.

When a permanent tooth is chiped or broken:

• Collect all pieces of rhe tooth.
• Rinse the mouth with the warm water.
• Hold a cold compress (such as an ice cube wrapped in cloth or a gauze) against the injured tooth.
• Contact a dentist.

Seek Medical Care if a Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out:
Go to the dentist or emergency room right after following these steps:

• Find the tooth. Call a dentist or emergency room right away if you aren't sure if it's a permanent tooth (baby teeth has smoorh edged.)
• Hold the tooth by the crown (the surface farthest from the gumline) - not the root.
• Try to put the tooth back in the socket right away and have the child hold it in place.
• If the tooth cannot be put back in the, socket store it in cold milk. Do not store it in tap water.
  
• Have the child bite down on a gauze pad or handkerchief to relieve bleeding and pain.

Think Prevention!
Make sure the children wear maouth guards and protective gear for contact sports and helmets while biking, skateboarding, or inline skating. Childproof your house to prevent falls.