Repairing kids damaged teeth

August 22, 2022

Kids can end up having damaged teeth for various reasons. Whether the cause is weakened enamel, facial trauma, or tooth decay, you need trusted dental professionals to restore your child's beautiful smile. Fortunately, broken tooth repair in Idaho falls is just a call away. 

Dealing With a Cracked or Broken Tooth

If you're a proactive parent that likes to stay on top of your child's oral health, you probably know all the benefits of scheduling regular pediatric dental checkups. These benefits include advice about a teeth-friendly diet for your child, speech and language treatment, growth modification, behavior management techniques, and timely treatment. 

So, when your child has a broken tooth, it makes sense to rely on your child's dentist for emergency dental care. The important thing is to not panic, though this can be tough to do, especially when your child is in pain. The truth is that children naturally have adventurous spirits, so it's normal for active kids to sustain tooth injuries from time to time.

For instance, your child may run into a fixed object or get hit hard by a flying object. Sometimes a tooth injury can occur by simply biting down too hard. This often happens when the enamel has been eroded due to too much acid exposure.

Tooth decay and cavities can also weaken your child's teeth, making them susceptible to injuries and damage at the slightest pressure. As bad as it may look, the good news is that you can rescue the situation with broken tooth repair in Idaho falls performed by skilled dental professionals.

What Should I Do When My Child Has a Broken Tooth?

Knowing what to do when your child gets a broken tooth can make all the difference. Regardless of whether it's a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, it's important to seek emergency care to get the damage repaired. Start by calling your child's pediatric dentist to see how soon you can schedule an appointment.

In the meanwhile, there's plenty you can do to minimize the damage and calm the situation. As soon as your child's tooth is damaged, you should use a warm water rinse to gently clean the area. If there's bleeding, hold a piece of wet gauze to the injured area and apply pressure until the bleeding stops.

Sometimes, the tooth fragment can be salvaged if stored properly. Ideally, you should put it in a container of saliva, clean water, or a saline solution and take it with you to the dentist. It may take some time to get to the dentist's office, so if your child complains of pain, use child-approved medication to temporarily alleviate the pain.

This is the first step to emergency dental care when your child gets a damaged tooth. Quick and decisive action can save the day if parents and pediatric dentists work together to repair the damage. If there's extensive trauma beyond a damaged tooth, it's essential to seek immediate medical care.

How A Dentist Can Help Repair Your Child's Damaged Tooth

Now that you have made it to the dentist's office and your child is in safe hands, you may be wondering what the treatment options are. The first thing the dentist will do is examine the damage to determine the best treatment solution. Next, the dentist will look at the extent of the damage and whether the living tissue inside the tooth is affected.

One option is to reattach the recovered tooth fragment. This usually works if the broken chip is coming from a front tooth. When done properly, you won't even be able to tell the tooth once had a chip.

Besides bonding the broken piece back in place, your child's dentist can also use restorative material to fill in the missing space. The trick is to match the dental composite to the exact color of the tooth, so the bond looks seamless. 

If the broken tooth has been weakened due to the injury, your child may eventually need to get a dental crown to maintain the tooth's integrity. A dental crown is a permanent cap placed over the affected tooth, giving it a healthy function. The dentist might recommend a root canal before placing a dental crown where there's nerve damage. Usually, follow-up visits are required to monitor the health of the damaged tooth and take corrective action.

Where Can I Find Broken Tooth Repair in Idaho Falls?

Looking for broken tooth repair services for kids in Idaho falls? Look no further than Baker Pediatric Dentistry, where you can find compassionate, qualified, and friendly staff to repair your child's damaged tooth. Contact us now to schedule an appointment. You'll be enjoying your child's healthy and happy smile in no time!

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