When your child loses their baby teeth it becomes an occasion of exciting affair and the child gets pumped about the tooth fairy. However, losing adult tooth can be a scary dental crisis.
It’s common for children or teens to hurt themselves while playing and in some cases, they sustain injuries that can lead to knocked-out tooth — also known as an avulsed tooth.
If the tooth is just chipped, you can go to the dentist to get it repaired. But if an entire tooth has been knocked out, you have to act fast otherwise it will decrease its chances of being saved and re-implanted.
“Broken teeth in children may leave parents feeling alarmed, but swift action and calm guidance can make all the difference,” Dr. Komal Nebhnani, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Dentist, FortisMemorial Research Institute, Gurgaon told Financial Express.com.
According to Cleveland Clinic, between five and 60 minutes, there continues to be a good survival rate, as long as the tooth has been stored properly. But if the tooth is out of the mouth and dry for more than 60 minutes, its chance for survival decreases significantly, it stated.
What to do when the tooth is knocked out?
Your first focus should be on finding the tooth.
Once found, try putting it back to the socket. If you can’t put it back and its soiled first rinse it briefly with tap water or with milk.
You can also keep the tooth between your child’s gums and cheek, where the saliva will moisten it. Make sure the child doesn’t swallow it.
You also store the tooth in the milk till you reach the hospital.
Try to reach the hospital within half an hour as it will increase your chances of implantation
According to Dr. Nebhnani, you should take the following steps:
First, reassure your child and control any bleeding with a clean cloth.
Do not wash or try to clean the broken teeth fragment as it may remove the fibres essential forre-attachment.
Save any tooth fragments and contact your pediatric dentist immediately for guidance.
While teeth can’t grow back, rapid intervention can aid in reattachment or restoration.
“Procedures like bonding, crowns, or dental implants, if necessary, can restore your child’s smile. Remember, quick action and professional care pave the way to a healthyrecovery,” she told Financial Express.com.
What not to do when the tooth is knocked out?
Don’t scrub or soak the tooth, and don’t wipe it down or wrap it in paper towels or cloth.
Never touch the tooth by the root. Handle the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface area).
Do not put the knocked-out tooth in water.
What happens next?
Dr. Adosh Lall, senior consultant, Dental Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital told Financial Express.com that it’s crucial to contact a dentist promptly for guidance, as reinserting the tooth should be done under professional supervision.
“In addition to these immediate steps, seeking dental help is vital for a comprehensive assessment. An X-ray is necessary to determine the extent of the tooth fracture and assess whether reattachment is feasible. Understanding the severity of the break will guide the dentist in deciding the most appropriate treatment. In some cases, dental bonding may be employed to reattach fragments, while more severe fractures may require a dental crown,” Dr. Lall said.
In situations where the tooth’s nerve is exposed or damaged, a root canal treatment (RCT) might be necessary as a last resort to preserve the tooth’s health and function, he said.
“Parents should follow through with regular dental check-ups to monitor the healing process and ensure the child’s ongoing oral health,” he added.
Dr Vinod Tyagi, Consultant – Department of Dentistry, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension highlighted that if a tooth falls out completely, it’s recommended to re-implant it within half an hour for optimal results.
“Now, addressing the question of whether a lost tooth can be reattached or regrown: regrowth is not possible. However, a patient’s own tooth can be re-implanted back into its socket, and fractured crown fragments can be replaced,” Dr. Tyagi told Financial Express.com.
