Unfortunately, if your child loses a permanent tooth, it will not grow back naturally. We only have one set of adult teeth. However, immediate action can improve the outcome!
Here's what you should do:
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Find the Tooth: Carefully pick up the tooth, handling it by the crown (the part you normally see). Avoid touching the root.
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Clean the Tooth (If Dirty): Gently rinse the tooth with milk or saline solution. Do not scrub it or use soap. If milk or saline isn't available, use water.
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Reimplant the Tooth (If Possible): The best outcome is often achieved if the tooth is reimplanted immediately.
- Have your child hold the tooth by the crown.
- Gently insert the tooth back into the socket, making sure it faces the right way.
- Have your child bite down gently on a clean cloth or gauze to hold the tooth in place.
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Keep the Tooth Moist (If Reimplantation Isn't Possible): If you can't reimplant the tooth, keep it moist. Place it in one of the following:
- A glass of milk.
- Saline solution.
- Your child's saliva (in their cheek).
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See a Dentist IMMEDIATELY: Time is critical. The sooner you get to a dentist, the better the chances of saving the tooth.
Why is immediate action important?
The quicker you seek dental help, the higher the likelihood a dentist can reimplant the tooth or explore other tooth replacement options, such as:
- Reimplantation: If the tooth is viable and the socket is healthy, the dentist can attempt to reimplant it.
- Space Maintainer: If reimplantation isn't possible, a space maintainer can be placed to prevent other teeth from shifting and affecting future treatment.
- Dental Implant: A permanent solution involving surgically placing a titanium post into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth. This is generally NOT recommended until the jaw has stopped growing, so it's usually not an immediate solution for a child.
- Bridge: A fixed prosthetic that replaces the missing tooth by anchoring to adjacent teeth.
- Removable Partial Denture: A removable appliance that fills the gap left by the missing tooth.
Remember, prompt dental care is essential to preserving your child's smile and oral health after losing a permanent tooth.
