Pediatric Trauma
Fulmer Dentistry is your local source for prompt treatment of dental and mouth injuries in children. Trauma can have a lasting impact on both your child’s dental and psychological health. We recommend contacting us in any instance of pediatric trauma.
Why Choose Fulmer Dentistry?
- 90+ years of providing pediatric dental services
- Emergency services available
- We take a gentle approach with children, to avoid any further trauma
- We focus on the immediate dental needs, while considering the long-term consequences for the child
Prevalence and Possible Causes
Are you aware that nearly 50 percent of children will have some type of injury to a tooth during childhood, many of which are preventable? Tooth and mouth injuries most commonly occur after one of the following:
- A fall
- A motor vehicle accident
- Sports injury
- Fight
Most oral injuries are not life-threatening, and a child rarely develops serious complications. However, trauma to the teeth and mouth can have long-lasting effects on the child’s appearance and self-confidence.
How to Evaluate and When to Seek Medical Attention
Baby Teeth After Injury:
Though primary teeth (baby teeth) are fated to fall out at some point, they are vital to a child’s ability to eat and speak properly. The dentists at Fulmer Dentistry recommend* that the following precautions are taken before scheduling an appointment in the event of damage to baby teeth:
| Baby Tooth is Loose | Leave the loose baby tooth in to heal properly. This will preserve space for permanent tooth eruption. |
| Baby Tooth is Knocked Out | Don’t panic! If the tooth is knocked out, keep the area clean and do not place the tooth back into the mouth! This may cause damage to the developing permanent teeth. |
| Broken Baby Tooth | See your dentist promptly! The dentist will determine the extent of the damage and the necessary treatment. |
Permanent Teeth After Injury:
Any damage to a permanent tooth should be addressed immediately to help avoid long-term complications.
| Permanent Tooth is Loose | See your dentist promptly! In many cases, the loose permanent tooth will need to be bonded to adjacent teeth for a few weeks. This stabilizes and promotes healing of the surrounding area. Ultimately, the dentist will determine the extent of mobility and advise proper treatment. |
| Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out | This is a DENTAL EMERGENCY. In the event that a permanent tooth is knocked out, treatment guidelines recommend that the tooth is professionally placed back into the tooth socket as soon as possible, ideally less than one hour after the trauma.
If you are not able to get to the dental office within an hour, you should place the tooth back into the socket yourself, as accurately as possible. Hold in place with firm pressure and contact us immediately. In any case, follow these important guidelines: Do NOT touch the root of the tooth Over-Cleaning the root will damage necessary cells that aid in tooth re-implantation. If the tooth has visible debris, you can gently rinse with tap water. If unable to place the tooth back into socket, keep tooth between your lip and gums during transport to the dental office. Contact us immediately to discuss next steps. |
| Permanent Tooth is Broken | See the dentist within 2 days. If the child is experiencing pain or sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures, they need to be treated by the dentist immediately. |
If you are uncertain, see the dentist as soon as possible. The sooner the tooth gets treated, the more easily it can be fully repaired.
Treatment
Treatment varies, depending on the type of injury and whether the injured tooth is a primary or permanent tooth. Some things to keep in mind after treatment are:
- Hygiene and diet — After a tooth or mouth injury, it is important to continue keeping the teeth clean. This includes brushing twice per day with a soft bristled toothbrush. Occasionally, a mouthwash will be prescribed to prevent swelling and infection.
- Prevention – Mouth guards during vigorous activity are recommended to help mitigate the risk of oral injuries.
*As always, check with your dentist for a recommendation for your specific situation. This is not meant to take the place of your dentist’s advice.