I was at a park with a friend. Our children were playing together. Her son fell off the monkey bars and knocked out a tooth. She seemed to know just what to do. She was calm, grabbed the tooth and her son, and left the park to take care of it. I realized at that moment if the situation had been reversed, I’d have had no idea what to do. Will you help me?
Julianne – Missouri
Julianne,
It’s good you’re working hard to be prepared as a mother. Knowledge helps you stay calm in situations, because you know exactly what to do next. If a tooth is knocked out, follow these simple steps:
- Find the tooth. DON’T scrub it clean, you could damage the ligaments.
- Put the tooth in something moist. You can use a wet paper towel, a cup of milk, or even the inside of your cheek in a pinch.
- Call a dentist and let them know about your dental emergency, so they can be prepared for you as soon as you get in. This is important because you have a better chance of saving the tooth if it gets addressed within thirty minutes.
I hope this helps you feel armed in case this type of dental issue occurs.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Fred Arnold.