What to Do When Your Child Loses a Tooth: Expert Tips from Pediatric Dentists

There is a mix of both excitement and fear when your child runs towards you, all grinning with blood, with a tooth in hand! Is this a normal thing? Should the parents be worried? What happens next?

Whether it is a baby tooth that has been wiggling forever, finally giving way, or a sudden accident, tooth loss is a major milestone in the life of a child. Here's everything you want to know to be prepared along the way.

Quick Action Guide: Is This Normal or an Emergency?

Baby teeth falling naturally tend to come off between the ages of 5-12. Your kid may feel slight discomfort, but severe pain or excessive bleeding should never occur. 

If the tooth has been damaged by an accident, it will require an immediate fix. The very consideration in these cases is time. The sooner one acts, the higher the chances of saving the tooth. 

One main difference is that natural tooth loss is gradual and evolves over several weeks of wiggling, whereas traumatic loss is sudden and usually involves damage to the lips, gums, or even other teeth.

When Baby Teeth Fall Out Naturally

What to Expect

The average age is around six when a child loses their first tooth. Generally, the bottom ones go first, followed by the top ones; this process continues until about the age of twelve. 

There may be a small amount of bleeding from the site of the lost tooth for a few minutes. Some kids feel it while others hardly notice it. Both reactions are perfectly normal.

Your Immediate Response

Help keep calm and celebrate the milestone. Rinse the mouth of the child with warm water gently, just enough to remove the blood. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek can help alleviate any swelling. 

Do not worry if the new tooth appears different. Permanent teeth usually appear bigger and yellower compared to baby teeth. This is perfectly normal, and there is nothing to worry about. 

When Teeth Are Knocked Out Accidentally

The First 30 Minutes Are Critical

If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, you're facing a true dental emergency. Don't panic, but do act quickly. The chances of saving a tooth diminish rapidly after thirty minutes.

For permanent teeth: Locate the tooth immediately. Pick it up by the crown (white part), never by the root. If it's dirty, give it a gentle rinse with milk or saline solution. If you can, place it back into its socket.

For baby teeth: Do not attempt to put back baby teeth. The emphasis should be on stopping bleeding and calming your child. The pediatric emergency dentist for kids will take care of everything else.

Dont's

Never scrub the tooth or cleanse it with soap, alcohol, or peroxide. Never allow a tooth to dry out. Avoid touching the roots with your fingers. These choices can make the tooth lose its vitality permanently. 

If you cannot place the tooth back, store it in milk, saline solution, or even the child's saliva. On the other hand, keep away from water, as it damages the tooth. 

Getting Professional Help ASAP

Call your emergency dentist in Saskatoon immediately. Describe exactly what the injury was, and then act according to instructions. Most pediatric dentists have an after-hours emergency number for situations like this one. 

If you can't reach your regular dentist, head to the nearest hospital emergency room. They can provide immediate care and connect you with dental specialists.

What About the Tooth Fairy?

During emergencies, children often worry about losing their special tooth. When the tooth cannot be saved or is lost in the chaos, somehow you must reassure the child that the tooth fairy understands that sometimes accidents happen.

Some families write notes to explain the situation; others take advantage of the teaching moment to tell the child about the magical ways in which the tooth fairy can know when teeth are lost, even without physical evidence.

Finding the Right Dental Clinic Near Saskatoon

Having a pediatric dental office as part of your life before an emergency arises will make the ordeal easier. The child will be familiar with the office, the staff, and the dentist. This kind of familiarity lessens the fear level in an already stressful moment.

These regular checkups allow dentists to detect potential problems before they become acute emergencies. Thus, loose teeth, cavities, or alignment problems could all be tackled on a proactive basis.

Quality dental care in Saskatoon includes comprehensive emergency planning. The best practices have clear protocols for after-hours calls, emergency appointments, and trauma situations.

If your child has issues like crooked teeth or bite misalignment, early diagnosis is key. Learn more about how pediatric dentists handle these situations by visiting this guide on treating crooked teeth and bite problems in kids.

Reliable Dental Support When Your Kids Need It Most

Numerous Saskatoon families have benefited from Tiny Teeth's assistance in navigating both anticipated and unforeseen tooth loss situations. Their pediatric specialists are aware that each case is different and needs to be treated as such.

The practice combines state-of-the-art emergency protocols with the gentle, child-focused approach that makes scary situations manageable for young patients and worried parents alike.

When your child loses a tooth, whether naturally or accidentally, you need experts who understand both the medical and emotional aspects of the situation. 

Contact Tiny Teeth Dental today to establish your family's emergency dental plan and ensure you're prepared for whatever childhood brings.