Children & Dental Trauma

How can you be fully prepared for an injury the mouth?  Well, there is no way to be 100% prepared at all times.  Accidents happen and we are happy to provide emergency dental services for our patients.  The best way to prepare for accidents is to wear athletic mouthguards during sporting events and to receive preventative dental care.  Brushing your child's teeth until age 8 or 9 allows you to examine the teeth on a regular basis.  The dentition of a child changes quickly and you are an important resource in an emergency situation.  You may be asked about changes in your child's mouth.  If you are not sure what to be looking for, just ask at your next dental visit!   

Most dental trauma occurs between the 2-4 years and the incidence peaks again at 8-10 years.  *

30% of children suffer trauma to their primary dentition (baby teeth).  22% of children suffer trauma to their permanent teeth by age 14 years.  I wonder if these number might actually be higher, based on what I have seen during my time as a dentist!

A child with a recent dental injury might try to hide their mouth from you.  A trusted adult is best equipped to evaluate the situation.  This is just another reason why your child's first dental visit should occur by age 1.   The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry say that the first dental visit should occur within 6 months after baby's first tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday.  It is best to meet the dentist when your child is having no dental problems - don't wait until an emergency comes up. 

So what are you to do if your child falls and injures their mouth?  We encourage our patients to always give the office's emergency number a call (when the office is closed).  If necessary, Dr. Steckelberg will make arrangements to meet you at the office.  If this is a serious accident involving open lacerations on the face and a possible jaw fracture, we will need to involve an oral surgeon and possibly a hospital visit.  Don't worry, we will treat your child with TLC.

If it is a minor wound, make sure to stay as calm as possible (this will help your child) and then examine the area.  If there is blood and your child is cooperating, then wrap an ice cube in a clean washcloth.  Hold that to the affected intraoral area for one minute; it helps to have your child sitting next to your or in your lap (age/size dependent).  The cold application usually helps reduce the bleeding.  It is now time to contact your dentist to discuss the situation.   

*Source:  Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, Edited by A Cameron & R Widmer. 1998.