Falls at home or on the playground and athletic injuries often cause damage to the teeth and gums. Many injuries are obvious but some can be hidden. It is important to have your child examined as soon as possible after the dental injury so that no teeth are lost from hidden trauma beneath the gums. Prompt treatment often can help stop later bite problems. Quick action frequently can save a tooth that has been knocked completely out of the socket! Timing is important. Call our office immediately the first 30 minutes are critical following the loss of a permanent tooth. Remain calm. Please call our office as soon after the dental accident as possible, and we will see your child promptly - if needed.
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Permanent Tooth Damage
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, do not wash it. If the tooth is covered with dirt or grass, gently place it under cool top water, but do not scrub the tooth. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket. Hold the tooth by the crown (the top part of the tooth) and gently work it back into the socket. You or your child should hold the tooth in the socket while being taken to the dentist to avoid swallowing the tooth or further injury to the area. If replacing the tooth in the socket is not possible, keep the tooth moist in milk or contact lens saline.
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Chipped or Broken Tooth
If your dental emergency is a chipped or broken tooth, then contact you dentist as soon as practical. This is not an emergency, though an evaluation or treatment may be necessary. Rinse your child’s mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling if applicable to the mouth or face. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.
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Baby Tooth Injury
If a non permanent tooth is knocked out, contact your dentist as soon as possible and you will be given more information at that time. It is a good idea to try and locate the tooth just to make sure it was not swallowed or aspirated. Usually primary teeth are not stable if re-implanted, therefore we do not recommend trying this procedure. This is not an emergency.
Children are frequently subject to dental accidents. In order to accommodate an injured child, our planned schedule may be delayed.
Please accept our apologies ahead of time should this occur during your appointment. Understand we will do exactly the same if your child is ever in need of emergency care.
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Sore teeth – After your orthodontic appointment there may be some discomfort or dull ache. This is normal and will usually go away in about 1-2 days.To help you can try the following:
Poking Wire – Sometimes the orthodontic wire will be poking the cheek. This can happen when:
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If the wire is poking the cheek there are some things you can try until you can come to the office. Usually some wax can cover the end of the wire. If that does not work a nail clipper or small wire cutter can sometimes reach the end that is poking. Also, in some instances, a pencil eraser can be pressed against the wire end to tuck it in. Call our office to come in as soon as possible to have this poking wire trimmed.
Loose Bracket or Band – Occasionally a bonded (glued) bracket or a cemented band can come loose. Usually this is because of eating the wrong foods or biting on something that should not be chewed on. If the loose part is not bothering or poking the lip, cheek or tongue you can wait until the next day that the office is open. If the loose part is bothering the lip, cheek or tongue you can try wax to hold it in place or try to take it off the wire. Call our office to talk to a staff member if these actions do not work.