The first thing to remember is to stay calm. Injuries to the mouth, face and teeth happen frequently in children. Remaining calm and taking prompt action will help minimize the damaging effects of the injury, and lessen your child's discomfort.
Second, assess whether or not you child's injury involved hitting the head causing them to lose consciousness even for a brief moment. If this is the case, your child should see a physician immediately. Worry about the mouth and teeth later.
Third, try to stop any bleeding with a clean washcloth or gauze. As you do this, check for broken teeth and/or missing teeth. If there are missing teeth, look for them.
Broken Tooth:
Gently clean or rinse dirt from the area around the break. Place a cold compress on the face in the area of the broken took to minimize lip or facial swelling. If the fracture is more than one-half of the tooth, see the dentist immediately.
Knocked Out Tooth:
For permanent teeth - Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not root. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it in cold water, but DO NOT scrub or handle the root unnecessarily. Try to replace the tooth into the socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by closing on a gauze pad or washcloth. If it is not possible to replace the tooth, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or if this is not available, cool water. Go to the dentist immediately. Time is important for saving the tooth, less than 30 minutes is the best.
For primary (baby) teeth - Teeth are not re-implanted. The tooth fairy will be at work prematurely.
Toothaches:
Clean the area around the tooth. Rinse the mouth with warm salt water and use dental floss to remove any trapped food between the teeth. DO NOT place aspirin on the gums or tooth. This will cause a burn to the gum tissues. If there is swelling, apply cold to the outside of the face. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Call the dentist.
Bitten Tongue or Lip or cheek:
If
there
is
bleeding
apply
gentle
pressure
with
a
clean
cloth
or
gauze.
Apply
an
ice
compress
to
the
injured
area.
If
bleeding
does
not
stop,
go
to
a
hospital
emergency
room.
Possible Broken Jaw:
Do
not
move
the
jaw.
Stabilize
the
jaw
by
tying
a
towel,
necktie,
etc.,
over
the
top
of
the
head.
Apply
cold
compresses.
Go
to
an
oral
surgeon
or
hospital
emergency
room
immediately.
Objects Caught between the Teeth:
Try
to
remove
the
object
with
dental
floss.
You
may
tie
one
or
two
small
knots
in
the
floss
to
help
remove
the
debris.
Do
not
use
a
sharp
metal
object.
If
you
cannot
remove
it,
go
to
the
dentist.
Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out:
Fold
a
gauze
pad
or
clean
washcloth
over
the
bleeding
area.
Keep
it
in
place
for
15
minutes,
then
repeat
as
necessary.
Cold or Canker Sores:
Some
children
will
get
these
periodically.
Placing
vitamin
e
oil
over
the
area,
or
other
over
the
counter
medications
will
usually
give
relief.
If
they
persist
or
are
extreme,
see
the
dentist.
Orthodontic Emergencies:
If
there
is
a
loose
bracket
that
is
irritating
the
lips
or
gums,
attempt
to
remove
the
bracket
with
a
tweezers
and
place
it
in
an
envelope.
If there is a loose wire sticking into he cheek, see if you can place it into the tube in the back of mouth. If you canšt and you cannot get to the office, cut the end of the wire with a cuticle nipper.
Finally, check to make sure your child's dentist is available for emergencies ahead of time. Keep his or her phone number handy and make it known to your baby-sitters, pediatrician, and your child's school nurse. You don't want to be looking through a phone book during those stressful moments!