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Dealing with Tooth Fractures
Sometimes a tooth might not get knocked out but is broken instead. Here’s what to do:
- Find the Broken Piece: Carefully search for the broken fragment of the tooth.
- Store the Piece: Just like a knocked-out tooth, store the broken piece in milk or Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (if available).
- Get to the Dentist: You’ll want to come in as soon as possible to have the fractured tooth evaluated. The best-case scenario is that the broken piece can be reattached.
What if the Tooth Doesn’t Come Out?
If a tooth is damaged, but it’s still in place, it’s still a dental emergency. You should call our office or go to an emergency room immediately, especially if your child has:
- Severe Pain: This could be a sign of a cracked tooth, a broken tooth, or a nerve injury.
- Swelling: Swelling can be a sign of an infection.
- Exposure of the Nerve: If you can see a pink or red spot on the tooth, that’s a sign of a nerve injury. This is particularly important for adult teeth.
Preventing Dental Emergencies in the First Place
The best way to prevent dental trauma is to wear mouth guards during contact sports.
- Custom Mouth Guards: For kids who have all their adult teeth, we can make a custom mouth guard that fits perfectly. These are ideal for high school and late middle school athletes.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards: For kids who are still losing teeth or have a mix of baby and adult teeth, boil-and-bite mouth guards are a good option. They’re readily available at sporting goods stores and pharmacies.
While these mouth guards can't prevent every injury, they offer a good level of protection.
Teeth Can Be Reattached If You Know What To Do:
For anyone wondering if reattachment is possible, Dr. Kasey has a dental trauma story to share.
It was a beautiful summer day and we had a patient, an 8-year-old boy, who came in after falling off his scooter and cracking a tooth in half. Now, this little guy was scared and in pain, but thankfully, his mom knew just what to do.
She came racing into our clinic with a ziplock bag filled with milk and a small fragment of tooth inside. She had been looking all over for it, knowing that you can actually re-attach pieces of teeth if you have the fragment.
We were able to quickly bond the piece of his tooth back on. It looked good as new, and he was so happy to have his smile back. It’s a great reminder of how important it is to be prepared for these situations, and to know how to handle them.
Importance of Follow-Up Care
Here at Kids Tooth Team, we recommend follow-up appointments for patients who have experienced dental trauma. This helps us ensure that the injury is healing properly and that the tooth stays healthy.
Tips for Keeping Your Child’s Smile Healthy
Beyond emergency situations, there are things you can do to keep your child's smile healthy and strong:
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: We recommend bringing your child in for checkups every six months. This allows us to spot any potential problems early on and prevent them from becoming bigger issues.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Make sure your child brushes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flosses at least once a day.
What to do if You’re in Orion Township, Michigan
At Kids Tooth Team, we’re here to help your family. We have years of experience in pediatric dentistry, and we’re committed to providing compassionate and high-quality care. If your child experiences a dental emergency, please call us at (248) 422-0555. We’re always here to help!
We hope you found this blog helpful. Stay safe out there, and remember that a healthy smile is a happy smile!
