Keeping Children Safe from Injuries

Our adventurous and curious children will inevitably take a fall or two. As a caregiver, you can prevent severe injuries by proactively creating a safe playing environment. Carpets and rugs can help soften falls at home. Also, be sure to place items that are small enough to fit in a child’s mouth out of their reach. In an outdoor setting, encourage walking instead of running. At parks, assist small children on playground equipment.

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Mouth Guards and Night Guards

If you have a child who participates in rough play and/or sports, a great preventive appliance to invest in is a mouth guard. Your dental provider can custom-make a mouth guard, or for a more affordable option, drug stores have appliances that you can mold at home.

A second preventive appliance that your child may need is a night guard. A night guard is needed when the child has a habit of clenching or grinding their teeth at night while sleeping. A parent may not be aware if their child clenches or grinds, but if there is significant wear on your child’s teeth, your dental provider will be able to identify the issue.

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Injured Gums

To reduce the chances of injury to the gums, supervise your children during playtime and use soft toys. Avoid sharp or very small toys.

If the gums begin to bleed from injury, hold a sterile wet gauze to their gums with steady pressure to stop the bleeding. To prevent swelling, use an icepack wrapped in a washcloth and hold it to the site of injury. Monitor your child’s health; be sure to watch for any pain, fever, and/or swelling of the gums.

Once you have established an intervention to control the bleeding, be sure to call your dental provider as soon as possible. If the incident occurs after working hours, visit the emergency room.

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Injury to a Baby Tooth

While some bumps or chips to the baby tooth do not cause any major issues, others may cause damage to the nerve of the tooth, causing it to turn a grey color several days after the injury. A grey colored tooth shows that the tooth has “died,” so it is important that you call your dental provider as soon as possible to tell them about the incident and to seek their professional advice.

If your child has “knocked out” a baby tooth, stop the bleeding by applying steady pressure with a piece of sterile gauze or a sterile washcloth. If you have the tooth, avoid touching the root of the tooth and place it into a cup of milk.

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