Trauma

  • What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?

Nothing. Most of the time, no treatment needs to be done.

  • What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

Rinse off the tooth in cool water, but do not scrub it. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze. If you can’t put the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a container of milk (or water if milk is not available.) Call our emergency number if it is after hours. The tooth has a better chance of being saved if you act immediately.

  • What should I do if my child’s tooth is fractured or chipped?

If the chip is small, no treatment needs to be done.  If the chip is large, contact our office. Rinse the mouth out with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, it is possible that it can be bonded back to the tooth.

Mouth guards

  • What is a mouth guard?

A mouth guard is comprised of soft plastic. 

  • Why is a mouth guard important?

A mouth guard protects the teeth from possible sport injuries. It does not only protect the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw bone as well. 

  • When should my child wear a mouth guard?

Anytime your child is participating in a sport where there is a risk of head, face, or neck injury. For example, hockey, soccer, karate, basketball, baseball, skating, skateboarding, etc. Most oral injuries happen in basketball, baseball, and soccer.

  • How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?

Choose one that your child feels comfortable wearing. If a mouth guard feels too big or bulky, then it most likely is not the right one for your child.

There are three types of mouth protectors:

  1. Stock – Stock mouth protectors are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.
  2. Boil and bite –  Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They should be softened in water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. If you don’t follow the directions carefully you can wind up with a poor-fitting mouth protector.
  3. Custom-fitted – Custom-fitted mouth protectors are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized they can offer a better fit than anything you can buy off the shelf.

There are many options in mouth guards. Most guards are found in athletic stores. These vary in comfort, protection as well as cost. The least expensive tend to be the least effective in preventing oral injuries. Our office can provide customized mouth guards. They may be a bit more costly, but they are much more comfortable and more shock absorbent.