Active toddlers seem to fall down or bump into things almost constantly as they begin to walk, climb and run. If your toddler falls on his face, he might accidentally injure a baby tooth. Although the damage might look unsightly, it usually won't affect his permanent teeth or his speech. Knowing how to handle toddler tooth injuries can help you minimize the damage and help your toddler recover more quickly.
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
The type of injury your child experiences will often dictate how promptly you need to take her to the dentist. Take your toddler to the dentist immediately if he cracks or chips a tooth and appears to be in substantial pain. If you suspect he injured something other than a tooth, take him to the nearest emergency room so that a doctor can assess the damage. If the chipped tooth doesn't bother him, schedule an appointment with your dentist so she can check for underlying damage. Your dentist can even fill in the crack or chip with bonding solution if you opt to do so for cosmetic reasons.
Knocked Out or Displaced Teeth
Call your dentist if your child knocks out or displaces a baby tooth. According to Parenting.com, he might put your child on a soft food diet for 48 to 72 hours, and he will probably want to examine your child. He might take x-rays of the affected area to check for nerve damage or tooth fragments. Since baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth, your dentist might insert spacers in your child's mouth to give his permanent teeth ample room in which to grow.
Considerations
You can usually handle minor dental emergencies--ones that do not involve any damage to your child's teeth or gums--at home. Loosened teeth usually tighten up on their own within a few days, according to the Seattle Children's Hospital. Apply ice or a popsicle to the affected area for 20 minutes to reduce swelling. You might also offer your child an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen, to help with pain from the injury. If your child's pain becomes severe or if the tooth's color darkens or it appears loose, call your dentist.
Misconceptions
Unlike permanent teeth, which a dentist can often re-implant into the mouth, knocked-out baby teeth will not grow back. If your child knocks out her baby tooth, control the bleeding by encouraging her to bite down on a piece of gauze. Locate the missing tooth and put it in a plastic bag so that you can show it to the dentist when your child goes in for her appointment.
Prevention/Solution
Although you can't prevent every toddler bump and bruise, you can take some steps to minimize your child's risk of injury. Babycenter.com recommends securing rugs and carpets and closing off the stairs with a child gate. Teach your child to eat while seated and do not let him walk around with hard objects, like lollipops, in his mouth.
