When our daughter first took those few steps, my wife and I were so ecstatic for all the wonderous adventures our toddler could now embark on. At that moment, we were blind to the many many possible accidents that comes with this new and exciting milestone. One of these accidents can involve your baby or toddler's teeth. As our pediatric dentist, stated, a common accident is one that includes those cute little baby teeth that are just beginning to take their place in your baby or toddlers mouth. When our daughter had a nasty fall in our kitchen we were left feeling incredibly panicked and unsure of what to do. I am hoping that I can provide some insight from hindsight on how to best handle this type of situation in case you find yourself in a similar situation with your little one. In this blog post, we will provide you with essential steps to handle a toddler tooth accident calmly and effectively.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional; I am writing based on our personal experiences, research, and recommendations from our pediatric dentist.
Steps on How to Handle a Toddler Tooth Injury
Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
As alarming as it may be to see your toddler with a tooth injury, it's crucial to remain calm. Assess the situation by checking for any other injuries, evaluating the severity of the tooth damage, and determining if any immediate action is required. Do your best to ensure you check the entire mouth for injury. Make sure there are no pieces of the tooth lodged in the gums, lips, or tongue. My wife and I had been so focused on the part of our daughter's mouth that had been bleeding that we had missed our actual daughter's tooth injury.
Step 2: Control Bleeding (if applicable)
If there is bleeding, use a clean cloth or gauze to apply gentle pressure to the area. This helps in controlling the bleeding. If bleeding persists or is excessive, seek medical attention promptly.
Step 3: Locate the Tooth (if knocked out if possible)
This step is not necessary if your toddler's baby tooth was knocked out. Dentists normally will not fix baby teeth if they have been knocked out but if it is a permanent tooth then it is important to locate it (if possible) if it has been knocked out. Handle the tooth by the crown (the white, visible part) and avoid touching the root. Rinse it gently with water if it's dirty, but do not scrub or use any soap or chemicals. Keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of milk, saliva, or saline solution until you can seek professional dental care.
Step 4: Contact a Pediatric Dentist
Regardless of the severity of the tooth injury, it's essential to contact a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. They can provide expert guidance and determine the appropriate course of action based on the specific situation. Our pediatric dentist stated that it is important to be seen promptly as it prevents the tooth from setting in the gums if the tooth had been moved. This allows them the possibility reposition tooth back into place if it had been shifted. However, if the tooth was only shifted slightly, then more often than not the tooth with move back into position without intervention over time.
Step 5: Follow Professional Advice
Follow the instructions provided by the pediatric dentist. They may recommend bringing your toddler in for an immediate examination or suggest waiting until the next available appointment. Listen carefully, ask questions if needed, and adhere to their professional advice.
Step 6: Manage Pain and Discomfort
If your toddler is experiencing pain or discomfort, you can offer them an age-appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever, following the recommended dosage. Additionally, you can apply a cold compress to the affected area to help reduce swelling. Offering popsicles to suck on can also reduce pain and swelling and will leave you with a happy toddler.
Step 7: Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
During the healing process, it's important to continue practicing good oral hygiene. Encourage your toddler to gently brush their teeth, avoiding the injured area. If needed, consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a cotton swab for cleaning around the affected tooth. For younger toddlers, our pediatric dentist also recommended using a wet wash cloth to wipe the teeth and clean the area.
Conclusion
A toddler tooth accident can be a distressing experience for both child and parents. However, by staying calm, taking immediate action, and seeking professional dental care, you can effectively manage the situation and ensure the best possible outcome for your little one. Remember, accidents happen, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can provide the necessary care and support your toddler needs during this time. From my snaggled-tooth toddler to yours (potentially) good luck out there! You're doing great!
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References
Cronan, K. M. (Ed.). (2018, July). First aid: Teeth injuries (for parents) . KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tooth-sheet.html
Injuries to Teeth. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health - Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. (2023). https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=injuries-to-the-teeth-90-P02856
Tooth injury. Seattle Children’s Hospital. (2022, December 30). https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/tooth-injury/
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