MINIMIZING THE RISK of childhood tooth injuries starts with knowing the most common causes of those injuries. Babies and toddlers are most likely to injure themselves by slipping in the bathtub. Non-slip mats are a great precaution! Projectiles like balls and frisbees can easily cause injuries, so make sure to discuss safety and not aiming at anyone’s head. Hard playground equipment can also be a hazard so extra care should be taken.
Make a Plan in Case of Accidents
Sometimes accidents happen even when we’re being careful, and having an emergency plan is a great way to prepare. Step one of any plan is not to panic. Make a calm assessment of the situation. If an adult tooth is knocked out, try to put it back in the socket. If that isn’t possible, store it in cold milk. That will give us the best chance of replanting the tooth. Make sure not to touch the root, and don’t try to clean it or store it in ice.
Call our office right away at 801-544-3400! If after business hours, LEAVE A MESSAGE and someone will call you back. We can give you advice on how to care for your child until you can get to our office. Our dentists will help you as soon as possible.
Maintain Healthy Habits
Healthy teeth are harder to injure, which is one more reason to make good daily oral hygiene habits a big priority. That means daily flossing and twice-daily brushing!
The Dentist Is Your Best Resource
We want to make sure our patients’ parents have all the information they need to make wise decisions and take informed action when it comes to tooth injuries. If you have any questions about how to make the environment around your child safer for their smile, let us know. We’re happy to help.
