Unfortunately, children are prone to sports and playtime injuries. They frequently chip their primary and permanent teeth when playing or eating hard foods like candy, and parents may not always know what to do when their child chips or cracks a tooth.
Some chipped teeth do not need much treatment, but calling your child’s pediatric dentist is always the right place to start.
Step 1: Remain Calm
Your child may or may not feel pain, depending on the circumstances around the injury. If your child is in pain, they may panic or act out in some way. It’s best to stay calm while helping your child.
Rinse the child’s mouth carefully using warm water. Apply a cold compress to prevent swelling. While the child holds the compress, call their dentist. The dentist will want to know all the details of the injury. If you find the tooth fragment, bring it to your child’s appointment in a small cup of milk.
Step 2: Examination
Your pediatric dentist will examine the child’s tooth and determine the necessary treatment. The pediatric dentist will want to take a digital X-ray to show whether the injury has affected the permanent teeth and determine the extent of the damage.
If the chip is superficial with no sharp edges, the dentist may leave it alone. If it has a sharp edge, the dentist will likely polish it smoothly to prevent injury to the child’s cheeks and tongue.
Step 3: Restoration
The dentist will restore the tooth with a filling, crown, or bonding material if necessary. For less severe chips, a small amount of cosmetic bonding material can restore the tooth’s appearance and strengthen it against further breakage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chipped Teeth
If my child chips a permanent tooth, what is the harm in leaving it alone?
A chipped tooth is more likely to break in the future. Your child’s permanent teeth must last a lifetime, so they should receive prompt attention. In case of a more severe chip, the child may be more prone to painful tooth infections in the future and eventually need a root canal.
How can I prevent childhood dental injuries?
One of the most important steps is to have your active child fitted for a dental mouth guard. A mouth guard is custom-fitted from a soft material that protects the teeth. Also, children with overbites and protruding teeth are more likely to experience dental injuries. Speak to your child’s dentist about orthodontic care.
Contact Tender Smiles 4 Kids
Your child’s oral health depends on keeping their teeth strong. If your child chips a tooth, call us as soon as possible. We can evaluate your child’s needs and create a treatment plan to make the tooth as good as new. Please contact us at one of our convenient New Jersey offices to make an appointment today.