Health and Safety Tip

Do you know how to handle a dental injury?

The first step, as with any injury, is to remain calm. Then follow these procedures to minimize the effects of the injury.
- Clean the area around the injury thoroughly, wearing disposable gloves.
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean out any debris.
- Apply ice to reduce swelling.
- Child-appropriate pain relievers such as Tylenol may be given to relieve pain per the instructions on the label if requested by the parent or guardian.
- In case of a knocked-out permanent tooth, find the tooth. Do not handle it by the root. Sometimes permanent teeth can be replaced, so save the tooth in cool whole milk or water. Contact the parent or guardian to seek dental care immediately.
- If fractured jaw is suspected, do not move the jaw.

References:

Dental Health Foundation (2002). The Oral Health of California’s Children: Halting a Neglected Epidemic. Accessed November 2, 2004.

By Eileen Walsh, RN, MPH

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