Teeth - when a tooth is knocked out
teeth; tooth; decay; caries; cleaning; brushing; toothbrush; brush; paste;
toothpaste; primary; deciduous; secondary; permanen ;
Contents
When children or adults fall or have a blow to the face sometimes one of their teeth is knocked out. With quick action a permanent tooth that has been knocked out can often be saved. Baby (deciduous) teeth should not be put back.
Any injury which was bad enough to knock a tooth out may have also cracked the bone around the tooth. It is important to see a dentist, even when the tooth is a bay tooth, so this can be checked.
ALERT!
When children's teeth are damaged or dislodged, follow the first aid steps in this topic and get immediate dental care.
- For South Australian families, emergency care can be obtained from local dentists or school dental clinics (see Dental-SA Dental Services in phone book)
- After hours
- For children: SA Dental Services 4.30 - 9.00 pm, 7 days including public holidays, phone 8232 2651.
- For adults (if your private dentist is not available), phone 8272 8111 (Australian Dental Association) 5pm - 9pm week nights and 9am - 9pm weekends and public holidays, for information about which dentists are available. A fee will be charged by the dentist.
- Children can be seen at night at the Royal Adelaide Hospital phone 8222 4000.
Baby teeth (primary or deciduous teeth)
- If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not place the tooth back into the socket.
- Baby teeth which have been replaced tend to get stuck to the jaw, and difficulties can arise when it is time for the tooth to come out to make way for permanent teeth.
- It is still important to see a dentist to make sure no other damage has been done.
Permanent teeth - general information
If a permanent tooth is knocked out it should be replaced into the socket immediately. The tooth has an excellent chance of living, however the chances of it living get less with every minute that the tooth is out of its socket.
- Do not allow the tooth to dry out.
- Do not scrape or rub the root surface.
- If the child is calm enough - get the child to clean the tooth with saliva (spit).
- If the child cannot clean the tooth, it is better to rinse it briefly with milk than water.
- Do not rinse the tooth in water for any longer than 1 to 2 seconds.
What to do if the permanent tooth is clean
- If the tooth is clean, immediately replace it back into the socket and hold it there firmly with your finger.
- Keep holding the tooth in place with fingers or press aluminium foil over the replaced tooth and teeth near it. Or get the child to bite down on a soft cloth pad (gauze or a clean handkerchief) to hold the tooth in position. This also helps stop bleeding and reduces pain.
- Seek immediate dental treatment.
What to do if a permanent tooth is dirty
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in milk.
- If you can't get milk, wash the tooth for only 1 to 2 seconds in water.
- Replace the tooth into the socket (as described above) and get immediate dental treatment.
What to do if a permanent tooth cannot be placed into the socket
- Completely cover the tooth in milk, or wrap it in some plastic wrap, to stop it drying out.
- Seek immediate dental treatment.
What to do if a permanent tooth cannot be found
- Have a careful search of the surrounding ground, the child's mouth and clothes.
- If the tooth cannot be found, still get immediate dental treatment, as there could be other damage to the jaw.
Resources
South Australia
- South Australian Dental Service for children.
Office hours phone 8222 8222
After hours emergency dental service phone 8232 2651
(Mon-Fri 4.30pm - 10pm; weekends 9am-10pm)
Health Promotion, SA Dental Service (08) 8222 9016
http://www.sadental.sa.gov.au
- South Australian parents can consult the Dental Department at the Women's and Children's Hospital (Ph: 8161 7379 - 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday) or their own dentist for more detailed information.
Books for parents
- Pamphlet 'Zero to Six'. Is obtainable from the South Australian Dental Service, Dental Health Education Unit and Child and Youth Health Centres.
References
South Australian Dental Service Health Promotion Unit (08) 8222 9016
http://www.sadental.sa.gov.au
American Dental Association 'Tooth eruption charts'
http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tooth_eruption.asp
National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (USA). Knowledge Path re oral health for children:
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_oralhealth.html
Sank, Lindy and Hadi, Hayfa 'Baby Tooth Tales' in Heinz Sight, May 1999 (51).
SIGN 'Preventing dental caries in children at high caries risk: information for non-dental professionals'
http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/47/section5.html
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.