Dental emergencies can be traumatic for everyone. The most important thing to remember is not to panic.
If a child experiences any loss of consciousness, please visit your local hospital emergency department immediately.
In a children’s dental emergency, timing is very important. If your child experiences a dental emergency follow these steps, and book in with your paediatric dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, stick to a soft diet and manage any pain with Panadol or Nurofen.
Steps to take in a children’s dental emergency
Knocked out tooth
- You must ACT QUICKLY. It is essential that the tooth be placed back in the socket within 20 minutes of the accident.
- Take the knocked out tooth and hold the tooth by the crown. Do not touch the root.
- Rinse briefly under water and immediately place the tooth back in it’s original place, despite any bleeding. Gently hold the tooth in place. and lower teeth. better outcome.
- To keep the tooth in place, close the mouth with a piece of gauze, clean cloth or napkin between the upper
- It doesn’t matter if the tooth is the wrong way or not aligned, it just needs to be back in the socket to ensure a better outcome
- If the tooth cannot be placed back immediately, it needs to be kept moist by submerging it in milk or saliva (parent or child’s). Bring the submerged tooth to the dentist.
- Call and visit us immediately
Loosened teeth or teeth have moved
- This is an emergency and needs immediate care by a dentist as soon as possible.
- Try to move the teeth gently to their original position.
- Close the mouth with a piece of gauze, clean cloth or napkin between the upper and lower teeth.
- Call and visit us immediately.
Broken or fractured tooth
- This is not an emergency but definitely needs treatment within 24 hours.
- Try to find the broken piece and store it in water or milk (do not keep it dry).
- Call us and book in the earliest possible appointment.
Baby tooth trauma
- If a baby tooth is knocked out or broken do not try and put it back in the socket.
- Submerge the tooth or tooth fragment in milk and bring it with you to your appointment.
- Call us and book in the earliest possible appointment with a paediatric dentist.
It is important to always attend follow-up appointments to monitor the teeth, as well as maintaining good oral hygiene. Gently brush the injured tooth or use a moist cotton swab to keep the injured site clean.
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