Comparatively children are more active than adult, the chances of sustain a tooth injury is much higher. Due to their curious behaviour and much immature muscle coordination, they tend to hurt themselves more frequently. Minor head injury with involvement of teeth is rather common.

The common injuries to the mouth are: bruised cheek, swollen gum, bleeding gum, crack lip, toothache, broken teeth, loosen tooth, and knocked out tooth.

Practical first aid tips for injury to mouth and teeth.

1. Do not panic as this will make your child more anxious and uncooperative.

2. Use clean and wet tower to clean the injured area and assess the degree of the injury.

3. Soak a clean tower in ice water and use it as cold compress over bleeding site or bruised cheek. Bleeding will stop after compressing for 5-10 minutes.

4. Pick up any broken tooth or knocked out tooth, clean it in cold water and keep it in cold water or cold milk. Make preparation to see the nearby dentist. If it is at night or off office hour check your injured child to the nearby emergency room of the hospital.

When your child has sustained the following injury then you need to see the dentist immediately.

a. Severe toothache with swelling of the gum.

b. Bleeding don’t stop.

c. Any laceration wound of 3cm and above.

d. Broken tooth or knocked out tooth. To sustain such an injury quite a powerful force will involve hence the dentist will need to assess the extent of injury to make sure that no major damage has been caused to the adjacent structure. Dentist may be able to place back the knocked out permanent tooth.

There are few precautions that can prevent injury to teeth.

i. Use the approved baby car seat and seat beat while in car.

ii. Place your young child at the back car seat and fasten the seat belt for him.

iii. Use the special shopping cart provided for your child.

iv. Make your house a safer place when your child learns to walk. (eg. Fix up barrier to prevent access to stairs, bathroom and kitchen.)

v. Teach your child not to run in confined space and avoid pushing.

If the injury is small but involves the gum or teeth, it is a good practice to make an appointment to see the dentist. Your dentist is able to discover damage that you are not able to see.