If your child has suffered trauma to one or more of his/her teeth, you can expect some of the following reactions:
The tooth/teeth may darken over a period of time. This discoloration ranges from a charcoal gray, yellow, brown or a lighter color. It may lighten again, retuning to a color similar to how the tooth appeared before the injury, but not quite as white.
The bone that supports the tooth has been expanded by the injury which makes the tooth looser than normal. As the bone returns to normal position, the tooth will also tighten up.
As with any injury, the normal reaction of the injured tissues (in the case of gum tissue and/or lips) will bleed and/or swell. A cold pack (a washcloth is good) will help decrease swelling and a warm salt water rinse will promote healing of any cuts.
Fortunately, children do not usually suffer much pain from injuries to the teeth. Occasionally there will be pain if the child tries to chew with the injured tooth. As with any injury, the area should be “babied” to avoid aggravating the injury.
You should watch for any of the following:
This will appear on the gums in the area where the gum and lip meet. An abscess will look like a small blister or pimple on the gums.
If any of the “expected reactions” becomes worse, the area should be re-examined.
If the trauma results in a fracture of the tooth, please contact our office. Depending upon the amount of the fracture, the enamel may need to be smoothed or a composite restoration placed to return the tooth to its natural contours.
If the trauma results in a PERMANENT incisor becoming completely knocked out of the mouth, gently rinse the root of the tooth under water (holding it by the crown ONLY) and REPLACE the tooth in the socket and immediately call our office.
If the trauma results in a PRIMARY tooth becoming completely knocked out of the mouth, we do NOT re-implant it. It belongs to the “tooth fairy” now.