5 Ways to Help Your Child Prevent Cavities
Are you concerned about your child's dental health? Set them up for lifelong dental success when you learn five easy ways to help them prevent cavities and keep their smile bright and healthy.
My Child's Crown Fell Out. What Now?
Your worst nightmare as a parent happens when your child's dental crown falls out. You'll naturally feel concerned whether they lose it during play, while eating, or in their sleep. But don't panic! You can handle this situation effectively by taking the right steps.
The experienced pediatric dentists at My Kidz Dentist in Phoenix, Arizona, are here to help you during this stressful situation. Here's what you should do when your child loses a crown.
Stay calm and assess the situation
First, take a deep breath. It’s easy to panic when your child is in discomfort, but staying calm will help you handle things better. Gently examine your child’s mouth to check for visible damage to the tooth or the area around it. If there’s no pain and the tooth appears intact, it might just be the crown that has come loose. Contact our office immediately if you notice any bleeding or a broken tooth.
Look for the crown and keep it safe
If you can find the crown, great! Keep it safe by placing it in a clean container. Keeping the crown moist is important. Add a small amount of milk to the container with the crown. Preserving the crown's integrity helps increase the chances of reattachment.
Do not rinse the crown under water, as it could damage it further. Sometimes, our team can reattach the crown, saving both time and money.
Contact our office right away
Even if the crown doesn’t seem damaged or your child isn’t in pain, you should still contact our office as soon as possible. Crowns protect teeth that are already damaged or decayed, so without one, your child’s tooth may become vulnerable to further issues like decay or infection.
Call us to explain what happened, and we’ll advise you on the next steps. You may be able to schedule an appointment for that same day or the following day, depending on our availability.
How to handle the pain in the meantime
If your child is in discomfort after losing the crown, you can do a few things to help ease their pain. Over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage discomfort until you get to our office.
You may also want to give your child soft foods that won’t irritate the exposed tooth. Avoid hard or sticky foods, which could cause additional damage or discomfort. In the meantime, try to distract your child with something fun to keep their mind off the issue.
Preventing future crown problems
Once you resolve the situation, it's a good idea to take steps to prevent future crown issues. Encourage your child to practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily and flossing regularly.
Be mindful of any habits that could put extra stress on the crown, such as chewing hard objects or grinding teeth at night. If teeth grinding is a concern, we may recommend a nightguard.
Get peace of mind
Having your child’s crown fall out can be alarming, but it’s quite manageable. Call our office or book an appointment online, and let us help you reattach or replace the crown. Soon enough, your child’s smile will be as good as new.
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