Ever wondered what to do if your child has an adult tooth knocked out?

Here's my guide to immediate treatment for a tooth lost as a result of trauma.

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown not the root.

2. If the tooth is dirty wash it under cold running water for 10 seconds and then replant it into the socket.

3. Instruct the child to keep it in place with a handkerchief by applying gentle pressure.

4. If it wont seat in the socket it can be transported in milk or the patients mouth between the teeth and cheek.

5. Seek emergency dental treatment immediately.

6. It is not recommended to replant baby teeth.  In younger children wash the wound with plenty of water and stop the bleeding by applying pressure with gauze or cotton wool.

Remember your child should always wear a gum shield when playing contact sports, and the best of these are the custom fits made by your Dentist.

For as little as £80 we could save your child a lifetime worth of dental treatment!

Case to share with you

Thought I would share this recent case I did with you all. I had this delightful patient in this week, whom I diagnosed with interdental caries from localised radiographs taken. My patient didn't have any symptoms but the xrays justified treatment.

As you can see from the photo, I localised the area with purple rubber dam to protect the patient from debris and to provide a good field of view for myself to carry out treatment. You can see the decay/caries between the two teeth and the second photo showing the teeth restored with a white composite filling material.

The reason for showing you this case is to make you understand how important cleaning in-between your teeth is. If the bacteria is not removed on a regular basis, then eventually caries will strike and the enamel will demineralise. To stop this from occurring, the best way to stop this is to FLOSS!!

Flossing is an art and a hard habit to adopt, but once you can do this, it will reduce the chances of decay by over 75% and stop the chance of gum disease ( gingivitis ). So try it and do this every day. Make sure you have radiographs every 2-3 years to check for interdental caries.

Botox

A drug prepared from botulin, used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralysing facial muscles.

How does Botox work?

Botox works by relaxing the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses. The result is muscles that can no longer contract, and so the wrinkles relax and soften. It can take up to 10 days to see cosmetic improvement and the effects tend to last from four to six months. Most patients require retreatment to remove wrinkles and lines as they begin to reappear, but after each injection the wrinkles return less severe as the muscles are trained to relax more and more.

The procedure

The protein( a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum ) is injected into the muscle using a fine needle mixed with saline in order to minimize discomfort and maximise accuracy. 

Post operative effect

The effect of Botox is not permanent. So Botox treatment will need repeating every six months or so. The upside is that complications, which don't happen very often, also go away over time. Sometimes, a muscle that has been repeatedly injected, eventually loses its ability to contract and doesn't need to be treated anymore. 

Complications

The major complication of Botox is weakening of muscles in the vicinity that you didn't want treated. For example, improper injection of frown lines can result in temporary eyelid droop. This goes away in the same 3 to 6 month period!

Conclusion

If this procedure is carried out in a controlled environment with a clinician with a good background of the facial anatomy and experience, then I see no reason for this not to be carried out for patients. If the end result makes them feel and look youthful. 

What sugars can do to children’s teeth

Babies who are given sweet foods or drinks are more likely to get a taste for sweet foods than babies who are not. Giving babies food with added sugar can cause serious problems, such as:

• Tooth decay of their deciduous teeth very quickly, especially with sugary drinks that are held in their mouths for prolonged periods of time.

• Giving your baby a sweet tooth also means that they are more likely to keep pestering and crying for sugary things!

Instead of:

• Chocolate bars 
• Sweets 
• Biscuits 
• Cakes 
• Pastries 
• Ice cream 
• Sugared or toffee popcorn 
• Crisps 

Try these instead:

• Canned fruit: toddlers love peach, pear and pineapple slices. Make sure it is in its own juice and not syrup. 
• Fresh fruit: look out for fruit that's in season. 
• Yoghurt: make sure it's unsweetened, and then add fruit.
• Frozen yoghurt: make sure it's unsweetened. 
• Frozen fruit: defrost slices of fruit and veg. 
• Rice pudding 
• Porridge 
• Bread rolls or toasted bread, bagels, potato cakes or rice cakes. 
• Dry cereal without added sugar. 

Hidden Sugars

• Some sugars are found in food and drinks that many people think are healthy, so keep an eye on the sugar content of food and drink you give to your child. Examples are rusks, dried fruit, baked beans, tinned soups, some baby food, and drinks such as sweetened fruit juice, cordial, milk shakes and flavoured water can actually contain lots of sugar. 

Ideal option for children

• Unsweetened fruit juice is a healthier option when it's been diluted, but better served with a meal as it's still high in sugar.

• Milk (although not cow’s milk as a drink until 12 months) and water are the best drinks for children and things like fruit, toast, and rice cakes are a much better option instead of sugary snacks.

How to keep your child interesting in brushing their teeth

Teaching your toddler to take care of their teeth is just one way you can show your growing child how to take responsibility for his body. This can be a challenge because 3-year-olds are motivated mainly by fun and pleasure. If you want to end potential tantrum situations, your best bet is to make this nightly chore a fun ritual for him. Here are a few tricks you can use to do just that:

Play copycat. Bring your child into the bathroom with you to watch you brush your teeth. While you're brushing, exaggerate a show of excitement and let them start copying with their toothbrush. 

Make the toothbrush a toy. Let them play with it. For example, show him how to brush his teddy bear's "teeth," or even let him brush yours. Create the impression that toothbrushes are fun to use.

Play show and tell. Explain to your little ones about how important tooth brushing is and that it is used to remove sticky stuff that collects on your teeth. The sugar bugs like the sticky stuff, and if they stay there long enough, they'll eat into your teeth, and then your teeth won't be strong and white.

Use your finger as a toothbrush. If they still don't seem excited by tooth brushing then use your finger to clean his teeth. Some toddlers find this less frightening than a long, plastic toothbrush. If you use toothpaste, choose one that has a flavour he likes.