Whether through a trip, a fall, or something else, children often get injuries. But while most injuries are easily treated, mouth-based injuries require more attention. Injuries to the mouth, including a tooth falling out or a badly bitten tongue, should be treated carefully and in a timely manner. Many parents are unaware of the importance of treating any mouth-based injuries in children quickly.
Amongst the various games, sports and other activities that children participate in, injuries are common. Perhaps they fall off their bike, slip off a climbing frame, or suffer a fall.
While in many cases this results in just a grazed knee or a twisted ankle, in some cases it can be worse. For example, this may result in an injury to the mouth or teeth.
Parents or caregivers are often unprepared for oral injuries. So if this does happen, what should a parent do to help their child?
What are the common causes of mouth injuries in children?
Research shows that approximately 1 in 3 children and teenagers experience dental trauma when they grow up [1].
Common causes of dental trauma include falls, sports injuries, car accidents, fights, and biting hard objects [1]. These can affect children of any age.
Typical injuries include teeth being knocked out, teeth becoming dislodged, a burnt mouth, or a badly bitten tongue. Treatment is often required, especially if a tooth has been knocked out.
Zameera Fida works at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine [1]. She says that “there are few true emergencies in dentistry”, however, “a permanent tooth that’s knocked out is one of them” [1].
Preventing mouth injuries
It is advisable to know ahead of time what to do. You could discuss with your dentist what steps to take if your child injures their mouth.
Moreover, it is useful to know the ages in which children are most vulnerable to injuries. When children are fully mobile for the first time – usually around 2-3, or around the ages of 8-11 when they become more independent, are the most common times that children get mouth injuries [1].
If your child plays any sports, consider purchasing a mouth guard to protect their teeth, or, if necessary, a helmet, as this can protect head and neck too.
Trying to prevent injuries and be proactive can certainly help. After all, the aim is for no child to ever get a bad mouth injury!
What should you do when a child injures their mouth?
The type of injury that the child has is important to know. For example, if a tooth has become dislodged or cracked, but is still intact, putting an ice pack on the injured area and going to an emergency dentist is needed.
However, if a tooth has been entirely knocked out, then if possible, try to find the tooth. Ideally, try to place the tooth back in its socket.
At the very least, make sure that it stays hydrated. For example, place the tooth in milk, or a saline solution. Keeping it dry will not help, with research showing that if a tooth is out of the mouth and kept dry for more than an hour, it can be very difficult to save it [1].
In terms of pain management, the level of pain is likely to depend on how deep the crack is. In terms of a tooth, lying beneath the enamel and dentin is the innermost layer – called the pulp. This contains nerves. Therefore, if the crack has penetrated the pulp, then pain is highly likely.
Regardless of the exact type of injury, if a child is in pain, or has a bad mouth injury, it is important to visit the dentist as soon as possible. When there, a dentist can try to remedy the situation.
If you are unable to get to a dentist, consider going to the emergency room. Emergency rooms have health professionals readily available, who may provide a temporary fix to relieve pain.
A dentist can then carry out the required treatment at a later date – once the situation has been stabilized.
Either way, help is available. Getting treatment for any dental problem is important, and doing so in a timely manner maximizes the chances of the damage being limited.
Thinking points…
1) If you have children, remember that visiting the dentist regularly from a young age is very important. This can help to make children aware of the importance of visiting the dentist and looking after their teeth. If there are any problems, then these can be treated at an early stage. We recommend that children should have at least two check-ups per year. Why not book an appointment now?
2) But remember that it isn’t just children that should be attending the dentist regularly! It is very important that adults too. Check-ups allow a dentist to thoroughly look at your mouth, including the teeth and gums. If any problems are identified, then treatment to fix the issues can be organized. We recommend booking an appointment now!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] Ragovin, H. (2024). One in three kids will injure their mouth or teeth—here’s what to do when it happens. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-kids-mouth-teeth.html. Last accessed: 30th November 2024.
