Dental trauma can happen throughout the year, but we find more frequent incidents happen during the summer. We thought sharing the immediate steps to take and when to seek dental care can help you and your family during this busy summer season.
Immediate steps to take if my child chips a tooth:
1. Stay calm!
2. Assess the situation. Check your child’s mouth for bleeding, swelling, or signs of severe pain. If there is heavy bleeding or your child shows signs of a serious injury (e.g. trouble breathing or loss of consciousness), seek emergency medical care immediately.
3. Rinse the mouth. Use warm water to gently rinse your child’s mouth, removing any debris.
4. Apply a Cold Compress. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress to the cheek near the affected area. This helps reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
5. Save the Broken Piece (if found). If you locate the chipped fragment, place it in a clean container with milk, saliva or saline solution. This can help preserve the fragment in case the dentist is able to reattach it.
When to seek dental care:
Contact your child’s pediatric dentist (hopefully myself or Dr. Katheria 🙂 ) as soon as possible. Even if the chip seems minor, a dental evaluation is essential to determine the extent of damage. Depending on the severity, the appointment can be scheduled immediately or within a few days of the injury. We will check for the following:
1. Damage to the enamel or pulp. Chips that expose the dentin or pulp can increase the risk of infection and require immediate attention.
2. Fractures below the gum line. These may not be visible but can affect the tooth’s stability.
3. Damage to surrounding teeth or structures. Trauma often impacts more than just the visibly affected tooth.
Treatment options:
Treatment will depend on the severity of the chip:
1. Minor chips. The dentist may smooth sharp edges or use tooth-colored filling material to restore the tooth’s appearance and function.
2. Moderate chips. If a larger portion of the tooth is missing, a crown or bonding material may be used for repair.
3. Severe chips. If the tooth’s pulp is exposed or damaged, a root canal may be necessary followed by a crown to restore the tooth.
Preventing future injuries:
Accidents can’t always be avoided, but these tips can reduce the risk of dental trauma:
1. Use mouthguards for sports!
2. Avoid chewing hard objects like ice, pens or other hard items that can weaken teeth.
3. Maintain regular dental checkups because healthy teeth are less prone to chipping!
Dr. Brea welcomes new patients into her combined pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice. With locations in both Solana Beach and Carlsbad, the offices are fun destinations for kids to visit despite the serious focus on dental health. First visits for children under two years are complimentary at Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
