It is the single most important incident regarding the teeth; the urgent treatment by a specialist dentist is crucial for a good prognosis.

BASIC RULES

According to the Hellenic and European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry

Remain calm and encourage your child
Try to re-implant the tooth in case of extrusion or avulsion
Stop the bleeding by pressure
Take your child to the paediatric dentist as soon as possible
In case of a very serious trauma:

Communicate with your paediatrician or the hospital if the child feels dizzy, or nauseous
• Probably, your child may need antibiotic cover or an antitetanic shot 

 AVULSION (the tooth is out of the mouth completely)

Apply the basic rules (mentioned above)
Find the tooth
Put it in milk (or saline or even saliva!)
Take the child to the paediatric dentist
EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE

YOU HAVE 60 MINUTES TO ARRIVE AT THE DENTAL OFFICE (IDEALLY 30 MIN)

 

TOOTH FRACTURE

Apply the basic rules
If possible find the broken tooth fragment
Put it in milk
Take the child to the paediatric dentist
EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE

YOU HAVE 1-3 DAYS TO VISIT THE DENTAL OFFICE (IDEALLY THE SAME DAY)

 

LATERAL LUXATION (the tooth has moved from its position)

Apply the basic rules
Reposition the tooth if possible
Take the child to the paediatric dentist
EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE

YOU HAVE 1-12 HOURS TO VISIT THE DENTAL OFFICE (IDEALLY 1 HOUR)

It is an emergency of course, as the toothache caused by caries, deteriorates when eating or during sleep. Thus, neither the child nor you sleep well.
The problem will be solved when you will visit the paediatric dentist.
Until then, give to your child painkillers (like paracetamol) and anti-inflammatory medication. Consult your paediatric dentist or GP for the appropriate dosage.Proper toothbrushing may help temporarily.
On the contrary, applying alcohol or aspirin directly on the decayed tooth does not help.

It is not a very worrying event. It’s normal after an extraction to have bleeding for 5 – 20 minutes. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure over the bleeding site, using a clean gauze pad.

If the bleeding does not stop after 30 minutes call your paediatric dentist.

Advise your child to avoid irritating the wound by his/her hand.

Young children often are confused because of the numbness caused by local analgesia. As a result children may bite their lips or rarely their tongue or cheek. Placing ice immediately may help. The following day give to your child anti-inflammatory medication e.g. Ibubrofen syrup (not antibiotics). The swelling usually disappears in 3-4 days.
During the orthodontic treatment the gums or the cheeks may get traumatized by orthodontic braces or wires. Remove the orthodontic appliance (if removable). If the appliance cannot be removed, cover the sharp edge with soft wax, cotton, a gauze pad or even a chewing gum. If the orthodontic wire has penetrated the child’s gums, tongue or cheek, DO NOT remove it. Communicate with the paediatric dentist or orthodontist.