What to Do with Cracked or Knocked-Out Tooth in Children

Dental emergencies like a broken or chipped tooth can be extremely painful for children. When left untreated, this can have lasting effects on their physical and emotional well-being. For instance, besides causing severe pain, the soft tissues can get exposed to bacteria. It can also become a choking hazard if the tooth gets loose or knocked out. This is why parents and guardians must know how to handle these conditions properly.

What Are the Common Causes of Chipped Tooth among Children?

A child’s tooth can crack for different reasons. Here are some common causes:

• Trauma

Growing kids are still in the process of developing their hand and feet coordination. Since they are naturally playful, they are more prone to trauma associated with rough play, sports, and fights. Falling or getting into accidents can also cause unintentional tooth damage.

• Biting into Hard Candies

Children enjoy sweets. When they eat candies, their teeth can chip, crack, or break in the process when the sensory mechanism found in their teeth and jaws fail to stop them from biting too hard.

• Cavities

Cavities in children usually occur when they have poor oral hygiene or a diet high in starches and sugars. They can cause pain and weaken the tooth, causing it to crack or chip. Thankfully, these can be detected through radiographs or X-rays and treated by filling the teeth.

How Is a Chipped Tooth in Children Treated?

Treatment will depend on your child’s age, symptoms, health, and condition. Whether your kid has a cracked, chipped, or knocked-out tooth, here are some ways to deal with it:

• Broken, Fractured, or Chipped Tooth

When the chipped tooth affects the vessels or nerves, prioritize preventing the bacteria from entering the tooth and damaging the pulp. Head to your local dentist and fill on the tooth or round off the sharp edges.

It’s also advisable to have your child undergo root canal therapy if the tooth chip or fracture is massive. This procedure removes the nerves and vessels inside the tooth and restores the broken part with a filling material.

As a rule of thumb, pay immediate attention to significant tooth fractures to protect the tooth’s longevity. Taking the tooth out is also recommended if it is badly broken down and can no longer be restored. Once your child becomes an adult and their teeth fully develop, they have the option to replace the missing tooth with dental implants, bridges, and other tooth replacement options.

• Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency, and immediate care is crucial. If your child is over ten years of age, wash the tooth gently. Have them bite a wet tea bag or a clean gauge to minimize bleeding. It’s important to visit the dentist within two hours to increase the chances of integrating the tooth back into the jawbone.

Conclusion

Injuries to the tooth can occur, despite taking safety precautions with your kid. Whether your child’s tooth gets broken, knocked out, or chipped, visit the dentist right away to have their condition diagnosed properly even if they feel no pain. Doing this can help resolve the issue and treat any damage that might not be visible to the naked eye before it gets worse.

If you’re looking for a children’s dentist in Waterford and Ann Arbor, visit Dental House MI. We accept walk-in patients dealing with chipped, broken, cracked, or knocked-out teeth. Make an appointment today!