What to Do if Your Child has Chipped Their Tooth

Children love to play, so a chipped or broken tooth is not an uncommon occurrence.

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suzanne

I cannot say enough about Dr. Hoffmann and his incredible staff. I never thought for a second that I would not be terrified to go to the dentist for the rest of my life, but Dr. Hoffmann changed that. I have had extensive work done over the last few months, all pain free. I was missing teeth due to a decades old bridge falling out and Dr. Hoffman made sure I had a beautiful smile in time for my daughter’s wedding. I have never experienced a kinder more compassionate team, when you go, you know you are in good hands. There is more work to be done, but I am no longer afraid, at all. Thank you Dr. Hoffmann, and thank you to your team. You’ve changed my life.

I H.

I was terrified of the dentist and had not gone in years. I’m so glad I found Dr Hoffmann. I now can go to the dentist and am not scared to death. He is so kind. So gentle. I’m so grateful!

Betsi N.

Melissa did an excellent job making us feel comfortable through the entire process.

Suzanne K.

Always a welcoming and comfortable experience for my adult son with IDD. He’s been coming to this office for many years now, and he no longer has anxiety with dental work anymore.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re grateful for your support and are so glad you had a positive experience with our team.

Tim

Had a really bad experience with my dentist when I was younger. It was about 25 years since I went back to the dentist. My mouth was bad and DR Huffman fixed my teeth and have been going back for 20+ years. The staff are very friendly and my hygienist is very nice and gentle. I don’t even sweat in the chair anymore.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and 5-star review! We're grateful for your trust and are so glad you've had positive experiences with our team over the years. We truly appreciate your continued confidence in us and look forward to seeing you again!

Children love to play, and when they play hard, it is not uncommon for them to find themselves with a chipped tooth. But as a parent, your child damaging their tooth can bring great anxiety. Depending on the severity of the chip, you may or may not have to address it. The best thing to do is contact your St. Louis pediatric dentist to make an appointment before you think the worst or overreact. If you see a chipped tooth, these are the first three steps to take to put everyone’s mind at rest – including your child’s, since they might also be anxious.

Call Your Dentist

Whether it is the result of an accident or you just happen to notice that your child has a chipped tooth, it is important to contact your dentist. If the chip is severe enough, then making an emergency appointment is necessary. If you can, try to find the chip remnants to bring with you to the appointment. If you are given specific instructions about dietary restrictions or any follow-up plan treatment recommendations, make sure to follow them specifically. Even if it is a baby tooth, the health of that baby tooth can sometimes affect the permanent teeth growing underneath.

Apply Cold Compresses

When you notice that a tooth has been damaged, make sure to rinse out your youngster’s mouth. If there is swelling, you will also want to apply a cold compress to limit the amount of swelling. Rinsing with cold water is also a good idea to reduce any swelling in the gums. Examine the tooth to see if it is chipped or completely knocked out. The plan of action will be different depending on whether the tooth needs to be repaired or if it is completely gone. If the tooth is gone, then you will have to take precautions to limit damage to the surrounding areas.

Find the Missing Pieces

When possible, find any missing pieces from where the tooth was chipped or damaged. You will need them if the tooth needs to be reconstructed or repaired so that the replacement tooth can be properly fitted and shaped. There are a lot of ways in which a pediatric dentist can use the chipped fragment to repair or replace the tooth.

When your child either loses a tooth early due to an accident or has a chipped tooth, it can cause some anxiety. The best thing to do is to contact your pediatric dentist, find the missing pieces, and try not to overreact. In most instances, a chipped tooth is nothing but a bump in your child’s development.

Pediatric Dentist in St. Louis

Children have dental anxiety just like many adults do. It is normal for children to be leery at the dental office since it is a new environment for them. When accidents happen, such as with a chipped or broken tooth, this can only increase a child’s anxiety about going to the dentist.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Depending on your child’s circumstances, we will discuss if sedation or anesthesia is right for your child.

Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!