If your child's adult (permanent) tooth is moved inward, outward, and/or upward, try to reposition it back to its normal position with very light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth back into position. Hold the tooth in place with a tissue or gauze if it is very loose. Call our office for an appointment so that we can check the area with diagnostic x-rays and decide on a treatment plan. After an exam, we may have to numb the area and then reposition the tooth if you have not been able to move it back into its original position with light finger pressure. To keep the tooth steady, we place an orthodontic wire retainer across several teeth to stabilize the traumatized teeth. If the damage is very extensive, future root canal treatment may be needed to save the tooth.
For a baby tooth that has been moved out of its normal position, we will possibly have to remove the tooth to prevent further damage to the developing adult tooth that is forming underneath it.
If the tooth is loose and in a different position (pushed into the bone, pulled out, or pushed to one side or another), please call our office for an appointment. We will need to take x-rays to check for possible root damage and determine what treatment is necessary.
You may give your child Children's Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Children's Motrin/Advil (Ibuprofen) to relieve pain and use ice compresses over swollen areas. Neosporin can be used to prevent infection for any external cuts or scratches. Keep your child on a soft diet for 2 weeks to prevent further damage. Call our office if you have any other questions or if symptoms get worse.
Call your local emergency room if the following occurs:
- Chills, fever, or vomiting
- Difficulty walking or change in gait
- Severe increase in swelling or pain
- Inability to swallow or keep liquids down
- Bleeding that does not stop even after continued pressure for 20 minutes
Call us for a followup appointment if the following occurs:
- The bleeding has stopped, but the area continues to bother your child
- A tooth or teeth appear to be very loose and not tightening after a reasonable amount of time
Doctor Wang, Doctor Perea-Corkish, Doctor Gerodias and the other Doctors of Discovery Pediatric Dentistry make no warranties, expressed or implied, as to any results to be obtained from use of the information on this page. We cannot diagnose or treat patients over the Internet. Information on this site is for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal, medical, and/or dental attention or diagnosis. Without all available information about a patient, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. Help and answers are in the form of general ideas. Only you, your dentist, and other necessary and qualified health care providers can make an appropriate treatment decision in an emergency or for everyday care and dental treatment.