It is quite common for young children, especially when they begin exploring and walking, to fall and experience injuries to the head and mouth.

Additionally, infants and toddlers are always putting things in their mouths – metal toy cars, hard plastic balls, etc. Sometimes these hard objects can cause damage to teeth.

Sometimes they are even hit in the mouth accidentally, by other children or objects.

Tips to Help Prevent Accidents or Injuries in Infants and Small Toddlers:

• Always use a car safety seat when traveling. Read more about choosing the correct type of car safety seat for your child from the American Academy of Pediatrics, updated for 2009 guidelines, here: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
• Use safety locks on cabinets.
• Do not place a child of any age in a shopping cart. If you must, supervise him or her closely and make sure they do not stand.
• Keep appliances and any dangling cords out of your child’s reach.
• Lock doors and safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairs.
• Keep windows above ground level childproof and secure.
• Help your toddler climb on and off furniture.
• Supervise playground play carefully and check the equipment to ensure safety.
• Only let your child play on equipment or with toys that are appropriate for his or her age.
• Do not leave your baby on his or her changing table or on an adult bed unsupervised. Babies like to roll around and can fall off very easily.
• Keep small toys and toys with small parts out of reach.
• Supervise any play with older children.
• Make sure your child always has a helmet on when riding, scooting, or cycling – even on tricycles and little electric vehicles.
• Keep emergency contact numbers in a prominent place so you and other caregivers can get to them quickly if needed.

What to Do When Your Child Falls or is Hit in the Mouth:

• Don’t panic. Stay calm and determine the extent of the injury.
• If your child has a facial or head injury, assess whether or not consciousness was lost, even for a brief minute. If so, your child should see a physician immediately – worry about the mouth and teeth later.
• Stop any bleeding with a clean washcloth or gauze.
• If you see swelling, press a cold compress on the area.
• Check for broken and/or missing teeth.
• If there are missing teeth, look for them.
• Baby teeth are not reinserted. Never put a baby tooth back in your child’s mouth.
• Call our office at (336)887-9277 or Page our Dentist on call.
• We will schedule an emergency appointment for your child to check the teeth, face, tongue, gums and other soft tissues for damage. We will take an x-ray to check the bones and roots of teeth. If a tooth was knocked out, we will need to make sure there are no fragments left in the gum.

Abscess (Dental Infection) or Bumps on the Gums:

• If you notice swelling on the inside or outside of mouth, fever, drainage, puss, or bumps on your child’s gums, you should call our office immediately at (336)887-9277, or you may page a doctor on weekends or holidays.
• If your child has an abscess, an antibiotic will most likely be prescribed. Make sure you let your child’s dentist and pharmacist know of any allergies to medications. Finish all medication as prescribed to prevent a return of infection.
• Abscesses can potentially be life-threatening – do not put recommended treatment off.

Cold Sores or Ulcers:

• Children can get cold sores or ulcers just like adults. They may have many different causes, including viruses, trauma (such as a bite on the lip), or stress.
• Call our office at (336)887-9277 and one of our pediatric dentists will determine the best course of treatment for your child.
• Topical ointments, creams or mouth rinses may be prescribed.

Read More About Infant Oral Health:

• When Do the First Teeth Appear?
• Teething
• My Baby Was Born With a Tooth! What Do I Do?
• First Dental Visit – Sooner Than You May Think!
• Taking Care of Baby’s Mouth and Teeth
• When to Stop Using the Bottle
• What You Need to Know About Pacifiers
• The Truth About Fluoride
• Baby Bottle Tooth Decay