Dental Injuries in Children

Prevent Permanent Damage with Early Intervention
Dental injuries in children are quite common, especially during preschool and primary school years. Falls, bumps, sports activities, or accidents during play can cause various types of trauma, such as fractures, displacement, or complete avulsion of baby or permanent teeth. These injuries affect not only aesthetics but also chewing, speech, and overall dental development.

Quick and correct intervention significantly increases the chance of saving the tooth. Therefore, it is crucial for parents, teachers, and caregivers to be aware of how to handle dental injuries in children.

Most Common Dental Injuries in Children

• Tooth Fracture:
  Cracks or breaks in the enamel or dentin layer of the tooth; sometimes the pulp (nerve tissue) may also be exposed.

• Tooth Displacement (Luxation):
  The tooth moves from its original position — forward, backward, or sideways — often causing damage to the surrounding tissues.

• Complete Tooth Avulsion:
  The tooth is completely knocked out of its socket and requires immediate emergency care.

• Tooth Intrusion:
  The tooth is pushed into the bone, usually seen in severe trauma.

• Injuries to Primary Teeth:
  Must be carefully evaluated, as they can affect the developing permanent tooth underneath.

What to Do in an Emergency

• If there is a broken piece, keep it — ideally in milk or a clean cloth.

• If a tooth has been completely knocked out, hold it by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it with clean water, and try to reposition it. Then visit a dentist immediately.

• If it cannot be reinserted, store it in milk or saline solution and reach a dentist as quickly as possible.

• If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with sterile gauze.

• Apply a cold compress for pain or swelling (do not place ice directly on the tooth).

Treatment Methods
Treatment depends on the child’s age, the type of tooth, and the severity of the trauma:

• Composite fillings or bonding of the fractured tooth fragment

• Root canal or pulp therapy (vital pulp treatment)

• Repositioning and splinting (stabilization) of the tooth

• Extraction and space maintainer placement if necessary

For primary teeth, treatment is usually focused on maintaining function and aesthetics, whereas in permanent teeth, long-term preservation is the goal.

Prevention Tips

• Children involved in sports should use custom-made mouthguards.

• Ensure safe environments at home and school; cover sharp corners and edges.

• Teach children not to play alone in high-risk areas.

• Schedule regular dental checkups to monitor tooth and jaw development.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child’s tooth broke — what should I do immediately?
   Keep the broken fragment clean, calm your child, and visit a dentist as soon as possible.

2. Do injuries to baby teeth require treatment?
   Yes. Even baby tooth trauma can affect the developing permanent teeth and must be examined by a dentist.

3. How soon should we visit the dentist if a tooth is completely knocked out?
   Ideally within 30 minutes — early intervention greatly increases the chance of saving the tooth.

4. Can a reimplanted tooth remain permanently?
   Yes, especially for permanent teeth, success rates are high. However, age, type of trauma, and timing of intervention are critical factors.

5. My child doesn’t feel pain but suffered a blow to the mouth. Should we still see a dentist?
   Absolutely. Even if there are no visible symptoms, internal damage may exist — an X-ray examination is essential.