Which Teeth are Injured Most Frequently in a Child’s Mouth?

As your child gets older, you’ll likely become more concerned with his or her teeth. Specifically, as teeth begin appearing, you may want to know the best way to protect them. As such, learning which teeth are injured most frequently in a child’s mouth could be useful information.

First, it’s important to understand that a child’s permanent teeth are not usually present until the ages of six or seven. These primary teeth will look—and possibly feel—different than permanent teeth.

The most common injury to the primary teeth in children is the maxillary central incisor, which is the tooth located in the front upper jaw. Oftentimes, this is also the most visible of all teeth in the mouth, with dislocation being a frequent injury. By properly managing this type of injury, it’s possible to prevent future damage.

When a primary tooth is loose, it may be left in place or removed, depending on if it’s interfering with the act of biting. Each individual injury will be different and dictate the appropriate treatment. In many cases, loose teeth will heal without any sort of special procedure. However, if injured teeth are extremely loose, meaning they could fall out easily, particularly while the child is sleeping—creating the risk of choking— the tooth will likely be removed.

Further, if a primary tooth is fully knocked out, it can’t—or shouldn’t—be put back into the gums, as doing so could affect the permanent tooth to follow. Typically, the loss of a front primary tooth does not alter the child’s speech or position of the permanent tooth.

If your child injures this tooth, don’t panic (yes, easier said than done) and follow these steps:

• If the tooth is bleeding, apply pressure with a piece of wet gauze
• Hold an ice pack wrapped in a clean washcloth to the cheek to reduce swelling
• If there is pain, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Contact a dentist

If a primary tooth is broken, it is necessary to see a dentist immediately. Then, the dentist will decide whether or not the tooth’s nerves or blood vessels are damaged. Treatment for this could include smoothing out the rough edges of the tooth, repairing it with a tooth-colored resin, or removing the tooth altogether.

In most cases, fortunately, children do make a full recovery from mouth and dental injuries without complications. Yet, when complications do occur, they can include:

• Damage to the permanent teeth
• Scarring
• Infection
• Bleeding

To avoid these complications, it’s necessary to seek professional treatment.

Kids First Dentistry—Just a Phone Call Away

If your child has experienced any sort of injury to his or her mouth or has pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to contact us. The team at Kids First Dentistry can be reached by calling (904) 423-1377. We will take care of your child’s teeth and mouth; we guarantee your kid is in good hands!