Dealing With Your Child’s Knocked Out Tooth

Our dental clinic calls a knocked-out tooth an “avulsed” tooth.

An avulsed tooth can be one of the most severe dental emergencies for permanent teeth, as they can be lost forever if not treated quickly.

An avulsion is also a dental threat for temporary teeth, as it can affect the permanent teeth growing below.

And your children are, unfortunately, prone to accidents that cause avulsion. The good news is that, in most cases, the damage can be fixed.

However, an avulsed tooth requires swift action, and your immediate and effective response can increase the likelihood that it can be re-implanted.

When a tooth is knocked out of the jaw, its blood and nerve supply is cut off, but it can still be reattached if it receives proper care and a speedy trip to your Northmead dentist.

What You Can Do

An avulsed tooth causes harm to the supporting tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.

Nerves and blood vessels can’t be repaired, so even successfully re-implanted teeth require a root canal.

However, the tooth’s root can reattach to the bone if it is successfully re-implanted in the jaw.

The good news for parents is that the chances of saving a tooth are highest in children (adult teeth can also be saved). Only permanent teeth should be re-implanted.

The number one thing to do if a child’s tooth is knocked out is to get to the dentist as quickly as possible! It is also critical to avoid additional damage to the tooth.

Here are some tips on how to save an avulsed tooth:

• Handle the tooth carefully and by the crown. Do not touch the tooth’s root (the part of the tooth under the gum), as it is easily damaged.
• Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse with milk if the tooth is dirty. If milk is unavailable, rinse with water. Do NOT wipe the tooth with a washcloth, shirt, or other fabric. Wiping a tooth off can damage the tooth and decrease the chance of successful reimplantation.
• Keep the tooth wet. Carry it in a glass of milk. Hold the tooth tucked between the cheek and gum in your mouth if milk is unavailable. A very young child may be unable to hold the tooth in their mouth without swallowing it. In this case, have the child spit into a container and carry the tooth in the container with the saliva. If there are no other options, carry the tooth in a container filled with water. But be sure to keep it moist.
• Try to put the tooth back into the socket. In some cases, the tooth will slide back in. Make sure the tooth is facing the right way, and don’t try to force it into the socket. If the tooth doesn’t go back into place quickly, keep it moist (in milk, saliva or water) and get to your dentist as soon as possible.
• Ensure you always have your Northmead dentist contact information on you, preferably already on your phone. The sooner you reach our offices, the better the chances the tooth can be saved.

What can your dentist do for your child?

When you reach the dental office, we may use water to flush debris from the socket. Then, we will attempt to put the tooth back into place.

If the tooth can be re-inserted, the avulsed tooth will be splinted to nearby teeth.

If the surrounding bone is not fractured, the root usually attaches to the bone in a month.

More severe damage to the area may require up to two months of healing.

The tooth requires a root canal treatment, but the other treatment for a lost tooth is a complete replacement with a bridge or implant, so saving the tooth is the best and most economical option.

We will examine the tooth again in three to six months to make sure the tooth remains healthy, with no evidence of infection or other issues.

Your next visit will be at your scheduled dental checkup if everything is in order. We will continue to monitor the tooth for the next 2-3 years to ensure that the tooth continues to do well.

Child’s Knocked Out Tooth Treatment in Northmead

My Local Dentists Northmead is your trusted dentist in Northmead in Greater Western Sydney.

Your dental health and the look of your smile are important to us. Our highly trained staff can treat any dental issue, including complicated issues related to other health conditions.

Our commitment to our patients is oral health and an attractive smile for the holidays and a lifetime!

We like to make life easier for our patients by offering longer hours on weekdays and weekend appointments.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

Bulk Bill for children who are qualified for MEDICARE CHILD DENTAL BENEFIT SCHEDULE

Same day emergency appointment is available!

Call (02) 9630 9996 or visit us at 19/5-7 Kleins Rd in Northmead.