If you have kids,

you know all too well that accidents happen.

Knowing what to do when tragedy strikes can make all the difference in the world. Let’s go over a few of the more common accidents that can happen to your kiddos:

Knocked-out tooth When a tooth gets knocked out, it will start to die in 15 minutes. But there are things you can do to preserve its life. Keep the tooth moist at all times. Hold the tooth by the crown, and if the tooth is dirty, rinse the root in water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. To keep it moist, put it in one of the following and get to the dentist ASAP:

• Emergency tooth preservation kit
• Milk
• As a last resort, use water with a pinch of salt.

Bring your child (and don’t forget the tooth!) to Dr. Dunne’s office as soon as possible – ideally within 15 minutes. However, it may be possible to save the tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more, so don’t hesitate to come in thinking it’s a lost cause. If the tooth is a baby tooth, however, it typically isn’t replaced because of the potential damage to developing permanent teeth and it will eventually fall out anyway.
Cracked or broken tooth Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. Bring your child in to see Dr. Dunne right away. If possible, take the broken tooth fragment with you, as it may be possible to bond the fragment to the tooth.
Jaw possibly broken Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Take your child to Dr. Dunne, urgent care, or the emergency room immediately.
Objects caught between teeth Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If you’re not successful, visit Dr. Dunne. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
Toothache Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Contrary to an outdated remedy, do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. Bring your kiddo in as soon as possible for an exam.
Bitten tongue or lip Clean the area gently with a cloth, and put cold compresses on the area to keep the swelling down. If bleeding is excessive or does not stop in a short period of time, bring your child in to Dr. Dunne’s office, urgent care or a hospital emergency room.