The first step you take after your kids experience oral trauma is very crucial. It is usually the determinant of what is going to happen to the affected tooth. Any mistake you make can end up causing your child a tooth permanently. That means spending more cash getting a replacement. Despite the gravity of the situation, most parents have no idea what steps to take in case of a dental injury. Whether it’s from a fall or sports-related, knowing how to handle oral trauma is very important. Below are first aid tips for kid’s oral trauma that will see you save your kid’s teeth.
First aid if a permanent tooth comes out
Knocking out of a permanent tooth is a very traumatic dental event that requires special handling. If that happens, don’t go and start yelling to your kid about something he or she did not have control over. Your work should be to make sure your kid gets the best first aid care for his or her oral trauma.
Doing so will minimize further damage to both the tooth and the gums. Your kid will also have an easy time coping up with the pain, and the doctor will have an easy time prepping for a replacement in case your kid needs a stainless steel crown. Many parents who mishandle the situation end up causing more damage, which tends to affect the kid throughout his or her recovery. Below are the steps you need to take as well as the first aid tips:
- Find the knocked-out tooth. Go to the area where your kid was playing and collect the tooth. Your kid may need it for a replacement, that is if you are not too late to save the tooth.
- Place it in an ideal condition to keep it from further damage. Some of the areas you need to consider include in the Save-A-Tooth kit, your kid’s saliva, or in a container of milk. Placing it in a saline solution is much better.
- Note, you should refrain from putting it in tap water. Doing so may cause the cells of the knocked-out tooth to swell, and burst, and that will render the tooth useless.
- Make sure you only hold the tooth’s crown and not the roots. The crown lacks any blood vessels that you can contaminate in the process of handling the tooth. The root, on the other hand, is susceptible to any germs that may be on your hands.
- Get a wet gauze or cloth and have the child bite it down. It is an oral trauma first aid tip that is going to prevent further bleeding or swelling, which may affect the injured area.
- You can then rush your kid to the emergency room.
Baby teeth or gum injuries
As part of growing up, you will find your baby falling from a chair, spilling liquids, and knocking off utensils from the table. During one of those adventures, your baby may accidentally injure his or her gums or baby teeth. Once that happens, the first thing to do is to avoid panicking. What follows next is very crucial.
- If you notice the area is bleeding, get a gauze or a piece of clean cloth. Wet the fabric and use it to apply pressure on the affected area.
- Give your kid a piece of ice or ice pop, doing so will help to reduce swelling of the affected area. You should also put ice in a washcloth and place it on the kid’s cheek.
- Always keep some ibuprofen or acetaminophen with you. The drugs work incredibly well when it comes to minimizing the pain of the injured part.
- Once you finish initiating the above first aid, go ahead and call the dentist. Meanwhile, watch out for any fever, increased pain, swells as well as any change in color the tooth may exhibit.
Broken permanent tooth
Breaking of a permanent tooth may occur due to sports activities like hockey or football. Falls can also lead to such a situation. In case that happens, follow the steps below:
- The first thing you need to do is to find the broken piece. If you are in luck, your kid may need it in case the tooth needs fixing.
- You should then give your kid warm water. Make him or her swirl and rinse the mouth. It is a very vital part of repairing a chipped tooth. It also ensures that the damage doesn’t affect the tooth further.
- After that, you should call the dentist and set up an appointment.
These are some of the best first aid tips that can end up saving your kid the extra pain as well as keep the tooth in check. They’re also going to prevent further damages to the teeth. It is always a great idea to have the painkillers mentioned above, just in case of anything. An excellent first aid job will prevent any complications, and your kid will be okay, thanks to you.
https://adawa.com.au/your-dental-health/fact-sheets/dental-trauma-and-first-aid/
