Chipped and broken teeth are a common issue that can happen to children. Whether it’s a stray baseball, bike fall, a game of rough-and-tumble, or even just biting into a hard candy, teeth can sometimes chip. It is a stressful moment so it’s good to think about this problem in advance to understand what you can do.
Stay Calm
First and foremost, try and remain calm. A chipped tooth typically doesn’t reflect a life-threatening situation and your reaction may startle or upset your child further. Understanding the steps that you can take will help you feel more in control and help your child feel better!
Call the Dentist
Keep your dental practice phone number in the contacts in your phone. Call the dentist, explain what has happened, and set up the earliest possible appointment. Quick action in seeing the dentist can help determine the extent of the damage, help save the tooth, and deal with any nerve pain that might exist.
Check and Rinse the Mouth
Have a look in your child’s mouth to see if there are any fragments of the tooth or tissue damage. If you can find the tooth fragment or any part of the tooth, put it in a cup of water or cold milk and take it to the dentist with you. Use tepid water to gently rinse the mouth and keep it clean. If there is bleeding, apply moist gauze to the tooth and hold it in place.
Cold Compress
To keep any swelling down, apply a cold washcloth or cold compress to the face. This will help reduce any puffiness and can help control any discomfort.
At Barron Family Dental, we regularly help patients, including children, deal with chipped, cracked, broken or dislodged teeth. We offer several options for long-term improvement for damage to any permanent teeth and have expertise in working with children to make the process easy and comfortable!
Call Barron Family Dental at (303) 284-6463 for an appointment or schedule upcoming cleanings and checkups online!