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It can be scary when your child gets hurt or has an accident. As a parent, you’re equipped to handle a bruise or a scrape, but what about a broken tooth? Do you know how to handle a lost permanent tooth? Parents can take a few steps to help their children recover from a broken tooth, or one that is lost too early.  

Fractured Tooth

Children play rough, and that can lead to bumps, bruises, and even fractured teeth. If your child fractures a tooth, then gather what fragments you can find and store them in a clean container of cool water, saliva, or milk. Have your child rinse their mouth with warm water if they are experiencing any pain. It is important that you visit the dentist immediately to prevent infection and other complications that are brought on by chipped teeth. Your dentist will be able to repair your child’s tooth with their original fragment (if it’s stored properly) or with a filling. 

You can also use a tooth preservation system like the ADA Approved Save-A-Tooth. If the dislodged tooth is stored properly, then your dentist may be able to reinstall it. 

Knocked out Baby Tooth 

Baby teeth are temporary, however, if a baby tooth is knocked out too soon, it can lead to other teeth crowding the vacant spot. This can cause alignment issues when the permanent tooth begins to emerge, and could cause crooked teeth and biting problems. Visit your dentist within 24 hours if your child loses a baby tooth prematurely. Your dentist will be able to assess the state of the incoming adult tooth, and provide your child with a spacer to prevent crowding that may occur.  

Remember to store the lost tooth as described above, and bring it with you to your child’s dental appointment. 

Knocked or Lost Permanent Tooth

Permanent teeth are supposed to be just that: permanent. If your child loses a permanent tooth, then it is imperative that you visit your dentist immediately. If your child is bleeding, then rinse their mouth with cool clean water, and use a clean gauze to quell the bleeding. 

Store the tooth in a clean container of cool water, milk, or use a tooth preservation system like Save-A-Tooth. If the dislodged tooth is stored properly, then your dentist will be able to reinstall it.  

Parents can Prevent Long Term Tooth Damage

Accidents happen, but being prepared as a parent can help prevent a lot of serious oral damage.  You can’t prevent accidents, but you can prevent most oral issues by helping your child maintain a healthy oral routine.  

Visit our dental office every six months to help prevent common dental issues from occurring. The regularly scheduled check up lets us identify and treat cavities, perform a deep cleaning of plaque and tartar buildup, and provides you with a road map to better oral care for your child.

As a parent, it’s your job to make oral healthcare fun, and as approachable as possible by mitigating fear and anxiety, and replacing negative feelings with optimism and instruction. A great place to begin encouraging your young child is at home. Try making oral healthcare fun and informative with these fun brushing tips! 

1 – Use Videos

For first time brushers, it can be tough to brush for two minutes at a time. This is due to a number of things, but it mostly comes down to the fact that it’s difficult to keep young children still and focused on brushing their teeth for two minutes. You can help your child have more fun while they brush by letting them brush while watching a tooth brushing video. These educational videos help guide children through brushing their teeth, and each lasts at least two minutes. We suggest finding one that you deem appropriate for your child, and one that they will enjoy watching.

2 – Brush Together

One great way to help first time brushers is by brushing with them. This allows you to give them specific brushing tips, as well as keep an eye on how ling they’re brushing. It can also help you get into a fun routine with your child and have a bit more time together.

3 – Buy an Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is an appealing option for children just beginning to brush, since they require less dexterity and physical motion to operate. Additionally, most electric toothbrushes feature brushing timers which tell the operator how much time they have left to brush, as well as a pressure monitor which informs the brusher when they’re brushing too hard. We suggest looking for an electric toothbrush specifically made for children. 

4 – Read Tooth-Friendly Books

By reading books with your child, you can help them form positive associations with healthcare, and get them excited about caring for their teeth! Try adding some fun children’s books to your home, and other informative dental games and materials to teach your child about oral healthcare. Try making oral healthcare fun and informative with these fantastic dental books for children:

The Tooth Book 
Clarabella’s Teeth 
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist 
I Know Why I Brush My Teeth

New Brushers Love Our Office 

If your child is just beginning to brush, then visit our office. Our team of pediatric dentists can teach them how to properly brush, and help them learn about the finer points of oral healthcare. Tooth decay is almost entirely preventable, help your child get a healthy smile by getting into a healthy brushing routine.

Childhood cavities are the most prevalent childhood illness in the United States, and they are almost entirely preventable. While treating cavities is more effective and comfortable now than ever before, some kids still experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. By following a few simple steps, you can help your kids keep cavities away and keep their dental appointments stress-free.

1 - Maintain a Healthy Oral Care Routine

Avoiding cavities begins with proper, routine oral care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that everyone brushes their teeth twice per day, for two minutes each session. By brushing for the proper amount of time, your child can clean all of the bad bacteria off their teeth, and help prevent cavities. Be sure that they brush the entire surface of their teeth - including the backside, which is often neglected.  

It can be tough to convince your child to brush for the full two minutes, but there are some fun ways to help them achieve better brushing results. Go Online to find tooth-brushing videos for children. Most of these videos are at least two minutes long, and help keep kids engaged and focused while they brush.

2 - Add More Water

Water is a fantastic tool that helps fight against cavities. Water is generally pH neutral, and does not harm tooth enamel – in fact, it can actually help strengthen tooth enamel by keeping the teeth free of food debris. It also improves saliva production, which naturally cleans teeth of debris and reduces the amount of harmful acid left behind by food.

To get even more benefits, have your child rinse their mouth out with water after each meal. This will wash away any food debris in their mouth, and help prevent cavities.

3 - Get a New Toothbrush

When was the last time you bought your child a new toothbrush? If it isn’t anytime in the last three months, then they are most likely using a worn down toothbrush. You should exchange your child’s toothbrush when the head begins to lose its shape and the bristles become frayed. 

Also, it’s important to exchange your child’s toothbrush after they recover from any sort of illness. Bacteria can buildup on the handle and bristles of their toothbrush and can extend their sickness or reignite it at a later date. If your child has a cold or the flu, immediately buy a new toothbrush once they are no longer sick. 

Visit Our Office Today

Pediatric dentists are specifically trained to care for children’s oral health. Schedule an appointment with our office, and ask us about the best ways to help your child prevent cavities, and earn a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.  Our office is designed to make your child’s visit relaxing and comfortable.