It is very typical for children to test their physical skills. So, when your little one pretends to be Superman and tries flying across the room, there is a huge possibility he will fall on his face and incur a tooth injury. Here is a guideline to help you handle your child’s tooth injuries.

Your Toddler Falls and Hits A Tooth

The first thing you should do is to put a clean piece of wet gauze on your toddler’s gums to stop any bleeding. You may also place an ice pack or cold compress on his cheek over the throbbing tooth or offer a frozen juice pop to help minimize the inflammation as well as distract your toddler’s mind off the pain. If the tooth seems to be out of place, a trip to the dentist is necessary in order for the dentist to evaluate whether the tooth needs to be repositioned or removed.

Your Toddler Knocks A Tooth

You need not worry if your toddler knocks out a baby tooth since a permanent tooth will grow in its place in time. But, if the knocked out tooth is a permanent one, you need to take your toddler to the dentist right away (within 2 hours) to stop the tooth from dying. Locate the tooth and wash it lightly in water (do not scrub). If you can, try replacing the tooth back in your toddler’s socket. Put a soaked gauze or small washcloth on top of the tooth and let your little one gently nibble to hold the tooth in place. Make sure he does not swallow the tooth. If this is not possible, submerge the tooth in a glass of milk or saline solution (mix ½ teaspoon of salt to a cup of water) and take it with you to the dentist.

Your Toddler Has A Chipped Tooth

Again, a visit to the dentist is needed. Place the fractured tooth in a solution of milk then go to your dentist’s office. If there is bleeding, place a cold compress or a tea bag to the area and wait until the bleeding stops. In addition, do not offer solid foods to your toddler to avoid further damage. It is okay to give your toddler a painkiller such as Paracetamol if the pain is excruciating.

Tooth Injury Prevention Tips

• Have your toddler wear a mouth guard each time he will play, especially when doing contact sports like basketball, soccer or hockey. You can buy one from your local pharmacy or sporting goods store.
• Install childproofing products in your home, particularly in areas where accidents are most likely to happen (stairway, living room, kitchen and backyard).
• Teach your toddler not to run or walk while something (hard objects like a toothbrush, Popsicle or lollipop) is in his mouth.

The best way to handle your child’s tooth injury and other accidents is to stay calm. Even if you are panicking, take a couple of deep breaths to clear your mind so you can think straight and comfort your toddler that everything will be okay.