Unfortunately, oral trauma is common in children, especially when babies are learning to move and walk
Unfortunately, oral trauma is common in children, especially when babies are learning to move and walk. About 50 percent of kids will get some type of injury to a tooth, many of which are preventable. In most cases, oral injuries are not dangerous, but rarely, a child might develop serious complications. Dental injuries might also have long-lasting effects on the child’s appearance and self-confidence.
So, it’s essential for every parent to know what to do for their kid’s dental injury. You can help your child have the best chance of recovering quickly. Keep reading to learn more about children’s oral trauma and first aid for it.
What causes oral trauma?
Oral trauma in kids includes lip and mouth burns, cuts, teeth injuries (chipped and displaced teeth), scratches, and cuts on the inside of the mouth. It’s essential to assess your kid for more serious injuries. The first thing you should do is to check your child’s head for bleeding and swelling. Continue to check the head for some hours after the accident. If you notice a head injury and breathing problems, go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
First aid for tooth injuries
Once you notice a tooth injury in your kid, contact the kids dentist. Tooth displacement can lead to gum inflammation and damage. If your kid’s tooth is knocked out, you should place it in saltwater or milk to keep it moist and go to an emergency dentist as soon as possible. In no case try to push a knocked-out tooth back into a kid’s socket as it can lead to infection or damage to the permanent tooth.
First aid for lip and mouth burns
If your kid has lip or mouth burns, you should run cool water over the burnt area and provide painkillers if necessary. Afterward, you should apply soft white paraffin or lanolin to your kid’s lips. However, don’t apply ice to a burnt area since this can provoke further damage.
Mouth burns can appear if a kid inhales gas or hot steam. This type of burn might be potentially life-threatening since it might cause swelling and prevent the kid from breathing. If you notice that your child is breathing hard, call an emergency dentist.
Emergency dental treatment for oral trauma
During oral trauma treatment, the dentist will perform a physical exam to evaluate the injury. Depending on the degree and nature of trauma, the dentist might perform the following procedures:
A chest x-ray (if the child is suspected to have swallowed a tooth)
A 3D x-ray of the mouth called an orthopantomogram (if your kid has a fracture)
A dental x-ray (to check other oral structures)
If your kid’s injuries indicate they might lead to additional injuries, the dentist might refer them to a primary care doctor. Your kid should also see a primary care doctor if they are having bleeding that doesn’t stop, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, nausea, or vomiting.
Remember that timely treatment can help your child avoid complications such as scarring, acute infections, excessive bleeding, and damage to the permanent teeth. Mouthguards can help reduce the risk for getting mouth and dental injuries and the incidence of jaw fracture if your child does sports.