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As dreadful as it may seem for parents, a child chipping a tooth is fairly common. Being young, active and not very coordinated can lead to plenty of trips and falls, bumps and chipped teeth. Especially when a kid has cavities, the weakened teeth can chip and fracture. Here’s what to do if it happens to your child.
- First, inspect your child’s mouth to make sure there are no pieces of tooth stuck in the gums, lips or tongue. Once it’s clear, rinse the child’s mouth with water.
- If the damaged area is bleeding, take a piece of wet gauze and have your child to bite down on it and keep the pressure until the bleeding stops.
- While waiting, collect any chipped pieces if possible and keep them in a cup of milk or saliva. Your Queen Creek dentist may be able to reattach the tooth fragments.
- Once the first aid is administered, contact the dentist immediately. The nerve of the tooth may be exposed and require immediate attention.
- If your child’s mouth is swelling, use a cold compress to keep it down.
- If your child’s in a lot of pain, administer an age-appropriate, over-the-counter pain reliever.
If you act fast, you can save your child’s tooth and prevent the need for extensive dental work. Your Arizona pediatric dentist can tell you the best ways to treat a chipped or broken tooth. The treatment will depend on the size and location of the chip, and in the case of a very small crack, no treatment may be necessary. Treatment may be different for baby teeth. Although baby teeth are important, the dentist’s main concern is protecting the developing permanent tooth. We will still try to fix fractured baby teeth if possible, and the age of your child will also play a factor.
Chipping a tooth can be a jarring experience. In times like these, it’s important to stay calm and take the necessary steps to handle the situation well. If your child has just chipped a tooth, make an appointment with us right away.
