As a parent, you quickly realise that silence is more than likely an omen of impending doom. The sound of the cats crashing around your house is a peaceful one, interrupted only by the deep, low thud that instantly sends chills down your spine.
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There’s that sound – the one you hate – and then the blood-curdling scream that you have no doubt will give you a grey hair or two. You sprint across the room, tears of pain welling up in your own eyes. Your child is on the floor, holding the back of their hand to a bleeding mouth.
You are met with the heart-stopping sight of a chipped front tooth, where only moments before there was a pearly white perfection.
Thankfully, there are ways to handle the most common forms of dental trauma at home and know when to call in the professionals. Emergency dentist appointments are a little easier these days. Read on and you’ll find out how.
Step 1: Deep Breath (or Suck it up, Buttercup!)
The first rule of parenthood and emergencies is: do NOT panic.
Calm down. Deep breath. Kids will feel much safer and relaxed if they have a parent in charge, rather than one flapping about in a froth at the mouth. Glance at the tooth to assess the situation. Chipped front teeth are embarrassing and not fun, but if it’s just a small flake, you may be able to get away with a few simple remedies at home. If there’s blood, or a large portion of tooth is missing, the tooth is discoloured or it’s wobbly, you need to seek professional help.
Step 2: Rinse (don’t scrub) and Recover
If your child’s mouth is bleeding, have them gently rinse their mouth with warm water to clear away debris and clean the damaged area. You can use a cool, damp cloth or a cold compress on the outside of their mouth or cheek to help with swelling. And, of course, a little love, some distractions and (let’s be honest here) some screen time are all fair game at this point.
Step 3: Grab the Tooth Snatcher
Grab the nearest tooth snatcher (ahem, not that tooth snatcher) and try to find the missing chunk of tooth. Rinse it off gently with milk or saline solution and store it in a small container or sealed bag.
Your dentist might be able to reattach it, depending on the size and condition of the chip, so don’t throw it away. Don’t scrub it clean, either – it may have tiny bits of root that the dentist can use to repair the tooth. Just carefully place it in a safe place and take it to the dentist ASAP.
Step 4: Call the Professionals (Dentists, not Ghostbusters!)
If your child has chipped a tooth, even if it seems like a small thing, get them checked out by a dentist after any dental trauma. They will have x-ray machines and tools to check out the area around the chip, and they can advise you about what to do at home. A small chip can expose the nerve and weaken the tooth, and may cause your child pain later on. A family dentist can talk you through what to do, then pop your child in quickly for an assessment and further advice, before the school day gets underway.
Step 5: It’s Not Called ‘Keeping’ Teeth for Nothing
Keep an eye on your child’s chipped tooth over the next couple of days, and monitor for any sensitivity, swelling or darkening of the tooth. Stick to soft foods and nothing too crunchy or hard until you get the green light from your dentist.
Because as you are dealing with this potential ‘situation’, don’t forget to schedule some of those dental check-ups you’ve been ignoring in the excitement of life with little ones. You need them too.
Final Thought
Kids are wonderful, but they are also exuberant balls of energy who love nothing more than tearing around a room (or, as we all know too well, the furniture). Injuries happen, but there are many ways to quickly respond to one of the most common dental traumas among young children.
Chipped front teeth and tantrums are just some of the trials and tribulations that make you a superhero parent – but you don’t have to go it alone. Professional dental advice and care are only a phone call or click away, and, when it comes to teeth, speed is of the essence.
With professional advice and a little at-home TLC, your child’s smiles will be fully-functioning and normal before you’ve even finished that long-forgotten cup of coffee.
How did I do?
Did you enjoy this post? If so, you should check out more of the ‘usual’ type of stuff I write. Honest, relatable rants about parenting three young boys. With a touch of swearing and a lot of sarcasm. You’ll like it! Check out my Mum Life section or head to my Travel Section for some UK family holiday and days out inspiration.
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