Yes, it happened to me. I took the kids to the park and we were there maybe 15 minutes when my 4-year-old son, Kieran, jumped off the play structure into the sand. I hear a piercing scream, followed by a “MOOOOOOMMMMY!” I run to see what happened, and the only thing I could focus on was the blood pouring out of his mouth. I look inside and can see a bottom tooth sticking up much higher than the rest. There were two other moms at the park–one handed me a bottle filled with frozen water and the other gave me a wad of wipes. I clean him up, put him in stroller, and call my husband who said he was coming right home. We ran to the house, with Kieran screaming “MOMMY!”, followed by short bursts of “BUT I WANT MY TOOTH!”, over and over. We finally get home, and I have him swish and spit out water so I can take a close look at the damage. No tooth. Right then, my husband, who is on the phone with his dad, an oral surgeon, pulls up. I yell, “The tooth is missing!” He yells into the phone, “The tooth is gone!” My father-in-law yells back (he actually didn’t yell, but it adds to the excitement, don’t you think?), “Doesn’t matter, bring him in.” Bowen drives Kieran up to his office, where he gets an X-ray done, and lucky for Kieran, the tooth came cleanly out. Nothing more to do than wait for the adult one to grow in. We were fortunate that we were at the park around the corner from my house, my husband works in town, and I have a father-in-law who does this for a living. Not all of these elements will stack up for you, if this happens. In case it does, Breezy Mama got some advice from dentist Jeff Wood, who is the Professor & Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry to tell you what to do. This is what Dr. Wood has to say . . .
What are the first steps we need to do if a tooth gets knocked out?
Having a tooth knocked out is a traumatic experience for both parents and children, especially a front tooth, as those are most commonly lost due to trauma. Upset parents and children often focus on the lost tooth at first glance, but –that may not be the most threatening injury!
The most important first step in any dental trauma situation is to [Read more…] about Kid knock their tooth out? This is what you do.