A very common phenomenon with which parents, teachers, coaches are confronted over the years is tooth injuries at young ages. It is estimated that 3 out of 10 children aged 2-4 years (the age when they learn to walk) and 8-12 years (the age when they learn to wrestle, play sports, ride a bike, etc.) will have an accident in the front region of the upper or lower jaw.
The above percentage increases when there are other conditions or circumstances that favour injuries to the teeth and soft facial tissues especially the lips, gums, tongue or geni (chin).
The main ones are: high protrusion of the upper front teeth compared to the lower ones, insufficient lip closure, engaging in dangerous hobbies/sports, mouth breathing, gender (boys have more accidents) and a shorter lower lip. Factors such as hyperactivity, childhood obesity and the child’s social and family situation play a secondary role, creating ‘fragile’ psychologies and subsequently manifestations of irritable anger and aggression.
Nowadays, because physical activity is a cornerstone of the child’s more balanced development, it is all the more necessary that the immediate and familiar environment (in this case parents and teachers) can recognise and decisively contribute, at least at the beginning, to the overall treatment that will immediately follow by the specialist by implementing certain immediate actions.
Familiarity, knowledge and application of some simple rules and basic instructions by the adult is the surest way to deal immediately and effectively with similar situations that are classified as emergencies.
WE MUST KNOW THAT:
At the age of 2-4 years children have only the baby teeth in their mouths. The most common lesions observed are the tooth coming out of the mouth or going deeper into the jawbone. Fractures of the deciduous teeth are rarely observed. Dental damage is usually accompanied, as mentioned above, by injury to the soft tissues of the area (lip, tongue) depending on the intensity of the blow or fall, bleeding and swelling.
The maintenance of composure by the supervising adult is of primary importance, as it is necessary to create a climate of confidence, calm and self-assurance for the child who is in a state of shock at that moment.
The steps to be followed are:
- Cleaning the area as much as the child’s cooperation allows to remove blood and foreign bodies with a simple antiseptic or even clean water
- Check for any loss of the tooth and search for it
- Immediate contact with the qualified dentist
In case the deciduous tooth has been removed from the mouth but has been found, there is no indication for its reinsertion by the specialized dentist, as there is a risk of affecting the permanent tooth located in the jawbone.
In cases where the tooth has been moved into the jawbone, the treatment is carried out by the specialist dentist, as he knows the appropriate procedures for repositioning it without damaging the permanent teeth.
At the age of 8-12 years, children have their permanent teeth in the anterior region. The most common lesions seen are fractures of the teeth (either at the root or the tip) and their extrusion from the mouth. To a lesser extent there is movement of the teeth within the bone.
It is also possible that the soft tissues of the area (lip, gums, tongue) may be injured, depending on the intensity of the blow or fall.It is very important to know that these teeth have a very good chance of being saved, whether they have been fractured, displaced or even extracted from the mouth, as long as the treatment is correct.
And at these ages we must first create a situation of certainty and security for the child.
The steps to be followed are:
- Καθαρισμός της περιοχής για απομάκρυνση ξένων σωμάτων και αίματος
- Έλεγχος για τυχόν απώλεια του δοντιού και αναζήτησή του. Αν το δόντι είναι ορατό στο στόμα και παρουσιάζει κινητικότητα ΔΕΝ ΠΡΟΣΠΑΘΟΥΜΕ ΝΑ ΤΟ ΕΠΑΝΑΤΟΠΟΘΕΤΗΣΟΥΜΕ ΜΟΝΟΙ ΜΑΣ ΣΤΗ ΘΕΣΗ ΤΟΥ, καθώς υπάρχει κίνδυνος νέκρωσής του. Είναι η δουλειά του εξειδικευμένου οδοντιάτρου να το επαναφέρει. Αν το δόντι είναι εκτός του στόματος και έχει βρεθεί, το πιάνουμε πολύ προσεκτικά και σε καμία περίπτωση ΔΕΝ ΠΡΟΣΠΑΘΟΥΜΕ ΝΑ ΤΟ ΚΑΘΑΡΙΣΟΥΜΕ ΜΕ ΟΔΟΝΤΟΒΟΥΡΤΣΑ, ΝΕΡΟ Κ.Α. Το τοποθετούμε το συντομότερο δυνατόν σε γάλα ή ιδανικά σε ειδικά δοχεία διατήρησης δοντιού (αποτελεί μέρος του εξοπλισμού σε εξειδικευμένα οδοντιατρεία και θα έπρεπε να υπάρχει και σε σχολεία, χώρους προπόνησης κ.α.). Με αυτόν το τρόπο, διατηρούμε το δόντι ζωντανό 1-2 ώρες, έως ότου μπορέσουμε να επικοινωνήσουμε με τον οδοντίατρό μας, ο οποίος θα επανατοποθετήσει το δόντι στη σωστή του θέση, ακολουθώντας την αρμόζουσα περαιτέρω θεραπεία του.
- Άμεση επικοινωνία με τον εξειδικευμένο οδοντίατρο.
Η άμεση διακομιδή του παιδιού σε εξειδικευμένο οδοντίατρο, το συντομότερο δυνατόν μετά τον τραυματισμό, εξασφαλίζει την αποτελεσματική αντιμετώπιση των βλαβών και κυρίως την διατήρηση των μόνιμων δοντιών στο στόμα για τα επόμενα χρόνια, επιτρέποντας στο παιδί και το νεαρό έφηβο να χαμογελάει άφοβα!