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Kids experiencing some type of tooth injury during childhood is unfortunately a very common occurrence. Playground and Jungle Gym’s tend to be hotspots for such injuries to occur. As a parent, it is critically important you know what to do if a child injures a tooth.

Help To Prevent Tooth Injury in Playgrounds and Gyms

• Observe the Playing Facility. Make sure there are no rusted, loose, or broken pieces of equipment as these frequently result in injury.
• Age Appropriate Equipment. The equipment that your children are playing on should be age appropriate. Younger children climbing too high, jumping too far, or running too fast often lead to avoidable injuries.
• Know the Weather Forecast. Rain, snow, and ice can also make things slippery and increase the likelihood of injury.
• Check Your Child’s Clothing. Tuck in those shirts and tie those shoes! Loose clothing can easily catch on things and cause kids to trip and fall.
• Children Involved in Contact Sports Should Wear Mouthguards. Mouthguards offer good protection for child’s teeth during game time. Properly fitting mouthguards can prevent chips, fractures, or knockouts of teeth, as well as protect the soft tissues of the mouth.

Types of Dental Trauma

• Complicated crown fractures involving enamel, or dentin, cause exposed pulp. Pulp destruction of the immature permanent teeth due to injury can cause the roots to become weak and thin or to stop root formation. In this regard, efforts should be made to protect the vitality of the pulp in children with dental trauma. Dr. Saini has extensive experience in managing these types of dental injuries.
• Avulsion (tooth falling out) or exarticulation is the most serious dental injury that commonly occurs in young children and frequently involves the anterior teeth. Avulsion is mostly seen at a young age because of the resilience of bone periodontium and incomplete root formation. Avulsion can lead to loss of function, psychological impact and a negative effect on quality of life in children.
• Lateral luxation (shifting of teeth) injuries often occur in children during adolescence. These injuries involve the surrounding tissues and may lead to extensive clinical treatment problems, with a risk of pulpal complications such as pulp necrosis.

Dental trauma is an unfortunate, but common occurrence in children. It can lead to physical limitations when chewing, speaking or brushing their teeth; aesthetic discomfort when speaking and smiling that can cause disruption of their social lives.

The staff at Maple Ridge Dental Children and Adult Dentistry cares deeply about children’s safety and dental health. Call us today at (315) 453-2084.

What To Do If There Is A Tooth Injury

If a tooth is knocked out or chipped, please contact us at Mapleridge Children and Adult Dentistry. Chipped or lost teeth can result in infection and other complications if not treated properly. Try to save the tooth or tooth fragment that has been chipped off and plan to bring it to our office. Depending on your child’s unique situation, Dr. Charu Saini can advise you on the proper steps to take to ensure the best  outcome for your child’s tooth. Contact our office today at (315) 453-2084 to get the best advice for your child’s dental care needs.