As you might imagine, it’s not good if your child loses a dental crown. That loss can count as a dental emergency when it isn’t addressed in time. Still, there’s no need for you to panic; solving the problem isn’t that hard a task. Your Newark pediatric dentist will even explain the proper steps you must take. With that said, here are four things you should do when your child loses their dental crown.
Find & Retrieve the Crown
Before you do anything else, see if you can find and retrieve the crown. Getting the cap back would be best for your child’s tooth.
You see, a pediatric dentist could reapply the crown if it’s still whole. They’d simply need to clean and re-fit the cap with dental cement. Just make sure the crown is undamaged first; your child will likely need a new one if the original is broken.
Call a Pediatric Dentist
A lost dental crown doesn’t initially count as a dental emergency, but you should still call your local pediatric dentist quickly. It’ll become urgent if it isn’t dealt with soon enough.
A weak baby tooth without its crown is at risk. As it spends time without a cap, it’ll get worn down by chewing forces, harmful bacteria, etc. That means delaying care could lead to a deeper cavity or similar damage. Given these facts, call a pediatric dentist and book the earliest visit possible.
Try to Re-Insert the Crown
Your child may need to wait before seeing a dentist for help. In that case, try re-inserting the crown into its prior spot.
Re-inserting the crown wouldn’t be too tricky, assuming it’s whole. The first step would be to clean its insides with toothpaste (to remove debris). Once that’s done, you could put dental adhesive on the crown to “glue” it to the tooth temporarily. (Such adhesive is often available at pharmacies and supermarkets.) If this product isn’t available, toothpaste or sugar-free gum could work as substitutes.
Be Careful of the Tooth
Remember: Your child’s tooth is exposed without its crown. Since that’s the case, they’ll need to be careful of it while waiting for dental care.
There are several things your child can do to be more careful. In particular, they should avoid chewing or eating with the now-crownless tooth; doing so could cause further oral damage. They should also avoid eating or drinking very hot or cold items, as these could reach the tooth’s nerve and cause pain.
Even if your child loses a dental crown, the steps above should keep them safe. Just try to follow these guidelines with care!
About the Practice
Newpark Mall Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is based in Newark, CA. Led by Drs. Nancy Quach and Adriana Rosato, our practice cherishes every chance to help a child smile. We thus offer preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services, as well as complete orthodontics. These procedures are sure to help your little one’s grin thrive for a lifetime! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (510)-796-8888.