1. What to do if a child breaks a tooth (crown)?
- Find the broken piece of the tooth and store it in a sterile environment, such as milk, special contact lens solution, or the child’s mouth (saliva). Be careful that the child does not swallow the tooth.
- Do not store the tooth in alcohol or plain water!
- Go to the dentist immediately—often the broken part of the tooth can be reattached and your child’s smile saved.
2. What to do if a child knocks out a tooth?
- If it’s a permanent tooth, find the knocked-out tooth and hold it by the crown, avoiding touching the root.
- Rinse the tooth thoroughly with cold water (do not use soap or disinfectants).
- Try gently placing the tooth back into the socket (the hole where the tooth was). Stabilize the position by asking the child to bite down firmly on a clean gauze pad or tissue.
- If you are unable to reinsert the tooth, store it in milk, contact lens solution, or saliva (in the child’s mouth).
- Stop the bleeding using a clean gauze pad or cloth.
- Remember: baby teeth do not require replantation — in this case, see a dentist for a consultation.
- See a dentist immediately — a quick response increases the chances of saving the tooth.
3. How to deal with a child’s toothache?
- Give your child an appropriate pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (for mild pain) or ibuprofen (for more severe pain).
- Rinse the mouth with chamomile tea, which soothes irritation.
- You can also give your child a clove to suck on—a natural pain reliever.
- For large cavities or inflammation, you can apply a cotton ball soaked in camphor, fir, or valerian drops.
- In case of severe pain or other complications, do not delay your visit to the dentist.
Take care of your child’s dental health.