What Are the Most Common Types of Dental Injuries in Children?
Children often experience dental injuries due to their active lifestyles and developing motor skills. Recognising and responding promptly to these injuries can help prevent long-term dental issues. Let’s see what the most common types of dental injuries in children are; our Brisbane dentist helps you understand how to protect your children’s smiles.
Injuries Where Teeth Get Moved (Luxation Injuries)
What Are Luxation Injuries?
Luxation injuries happen when a tooth is pushed out of its normal position after a knock or hit. These injuries are more common in young children, especially in baby teeth, because their bones are softer and less dense than adult bones. Luxation can range from a tooth being slightly loosened to one being moved forward, backward, or sideways in its socket. Since baby teeth are still developing and positioned close to adult teeth underneath, any injury to them needs careful attention.
Types of Luxation Injuries
Luxation injuries can vary depending on how much the tooth has moved and the severity of the impact. These injuries are grouped into three main types:
Concussion: The tooth feels sore but remains in its usual place. While there’s no visible damage, your child might feel tenderness when biting or touching the tooth. This type of injury usually resolves on its own but should still be checked by an experienced kids’ dentist.
Subluxation: The tooth becomes loose without changing position, and there may be slight bleeding around the gum. Your child might feel discomfort while eating or brushing. This type of injury usually stabilises over time, but regular monitoring is important to ensure the tooth heals properly.
Luxation: The tooth shifts from its normal spot, moving forward, backward, or sideways. This is more serious and can affect how the tooth functions or feels. If untreated, it may cause long-term issues, so immediate dental care is essential.
Common Causes
Toddlers are naturally curious and active, often leading to falls as they learn to walk and explore. These falls are the most common cause of luxation injuries in young children. Their developing coordination and softer bone structure make their teeth more susceptible to being moved out of place during such incidents.
Injuries That Break Teeth (Crown Fractures)
What Are Crown Fractures?
A crown fracture happens when a tooth’s visible part, called the crown, cracks or breaks. This kind of injury is more common in adult teeth because they’re stronger and less likely to be knocked out compared to baby teeth. Crown fractures can range from minor chips affecting only the outer layer to deeper breaks that expose the inner parts of the tooth.
Types of Crown Fractures
There are two main types of crown fractures, based on the depth of the damage:
Minor Cracks: These only affect the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth. While they usually don’t cause pain, they can leave the tooth feeling rough or uneven. A dentist can easily smooth or repair these cracks to restore the tooth’s appearance.
Deep Cracks: These go beyond the enamel and reach the inner part of the tooth, where the nerve (pulp) is located. Deep cracks can be painful and require prompt treatment, such as a filling, crown, or even an emergency root canal Brisbane in severe cases. If left untreated, they may lead to infections or long-term damage.
Common Causes
Crown fractures are commonly caused by falls, rough play, or sports activities. Young children learning to walk may trip and hit their teeth, while older kids may experience injuries during sports or outdoor games. Using protective gear like mouthguards during contact sports can help reduce these risks.
Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsion)
What Is Avulsion?
Avulsion happens when a tooth is fully dislodged from its socket due to a strong impact. Unlike a loose or wiggly tooth, an avulsed tooth is entirely separated from the mouth. This kind of injury is serious, particularly if the tooth is permanent, and requires quick action to protect the child’s oral health.
Common Causes
Falls: Young children are naturally curious and tend to lose their balance while exploring their surroundings. Hard surfaces or sharp edges during these falls are common culprits.
Rough Play: Playful activities, especially those involving running or climbing, can lead to accidental impacts.
Sports Accidents: Older kids engaged in contact sports without a mouthguard are at higher risk of losing a tooth.
Jaw Injuries
What Are Jaw Injuries?
Jaw injuries in children often involve fractures near the jaw joints, known as the condyles. These injuries can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak, or even open their mouth fully. Swelling, bruising, or pain around the jaw are common signs, and these injuries require prompt attention from a dentist or doctor to ensure proper healing and avoid long-term problems.
Common Causes
Falls: Young children, especially those under three, are prone to falls as they learn to walk, leading to potential jaw injuries.
Accidents: Older children may experience jaw fractures from activities like cycling mishaps or sports without proper protective gear.
Root Fractures
What Are Root Fractures?
Root fractures are breaks that occur in the part of the tooth hidden below the gumline, known as the root. These injuries are uncommon in baby teeth because their roots naturally resorb as adult teeth grow in. However, in adult teeth, a hard impact can cause the root to crack or split, which can lead to pain or sensitivity. Prompt dental care is essential to assess the damage and prevent further complications, like infection or tooth loss.
Common Causes
Root fractures usually happen due to strong impacts or trauma, such as:
- Falls: Children falling onto hard surfaces, such as pavements or playgrounds, can strike their mouth and damage the roots of their teeth.
- Bicycle or Scooter Accidents: Collisions or falls during activities like biking can exert forceful pressure on teeth, leading to fractures.
- Sports Injuries: Contact sports like football or rugby, especially without a mouthguard, can cause direct blows to the face.
- Facial Impacts: Accidental hits, such as with a ball or an elbow during play, can damage the tooth’s root.
- Car Accidents: In severe cases, a strong shock or collision can injure teeth, including their roots.
Factors That Affect the Type of Injury
Knowing what factors contribute to the most common dental injuries in children helps you protect their smiles and respond effectively when accidents happen.
Age
- 2 to 4 Years Old: At this stage, children are learning to walk and often experience falls, leading to injuries in their baby teeth.
- 8 to 10 Years Old: Increased participation in sports and physical activities makes injuries to adult teeth more common.
Type of Teeth
- Baby Teeth: These are more likely to be moved out of place due to their softer supporting bone structure.
- Adult Teeth: These are more prone to cracks or breaks because they are denser and less flexible.
Position of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth sometimes grow in at odd angles or don’t fit together as neatly as we’d like. This can make them more likely to take a hard hit if a child trips or bumps into something. Teeth that stick out a bit can get knocked loose more easily. If they’re packed too tight, they might crack instead of just shifting position. The way these teeth line up plays a big part in what happens when a sudden force hits a child’s mouth—it can mean the difference between a tooth getting pushed out of place, chipped, or even completely knocked out.
Factors That Make Injuries More Likely
Certain factors can increase the chances of dental injuries in children. Understanding these risks can help parents and caregivers take steps to protect their child’s teeth and avoid accidents.
Teeth That Stick Out (Protrusion)
When a child’s front teeth protrude, they are more exposed and vulnerable to impacts. Falls, bumps, or collisions can easily damage these teeth. Orthodontic care may help reduce this risk as your child grows.
Participation in Contact Sports Without Proper Protective Gear
Children playing contact sports like rugby, hockey, or football face a higher risk of dental injuries. Without a well-fitted mouthguard, even a small collision can result in chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Investing in a custom-fitted mouthguard can significantly lower this risk.
Coordination Problems or Medical Conditions That Increase the Risk of Falling
Some children with motor skill challenges or medical conditions, such as balance issues or muscular disorders, may fall more often. These falls can lead to dental injuries, especially when hitting hard surfaces. Supervision and safety measures, like childproofing edges and corners, can help reduce the risk.
How to Protect Your Child’s Teeth
Protecting your child’s teeth is crucial, especially during sports and as they learn to walk. Here are some practical steps to help:
Use Mouthguards During Sports
Sports are great for kids, but they can lead to dental injuries. Wearing a mouthguard can significantly reduce this risk. Mouthguards cushion blows to the face, helping to prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw.
Supervise Toddlers Learning to Walk
Toddlers are prone to falls as they learn to walk, which can result in mouth injuries. Close supervision and childproofing your home can help prevent these accidents. Using safety gates and removing sharp furniture can create a safer environment for your little one.
Ensure Regular Dental Check-Ups
Regular dental visits are essential to monitor your child’s oral health and catch any potential issues early. Starting dental check-ups by age one sets the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.
Takeaway
Children’s dental injuries are more common than you might think, and they can range from teeth being moved out of place (luxation injuries), breaking (crown fractures), or even being completely knocked out (avulsion). Jaw injuries and root fractures are also possible, especially during falls, sports, or accidents. Each type of injury needs attention to prevent long-term issues. Being proactive is the best way to protect your child’s smile. Use mouthguards for sports, supervise toddlers as they learn to walk, and make regular dental check-ups part of your routine. Quick action and care can make all the difference in keeping their teeth safe and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child chips a tooth?
If your child chips a tooth, rinse their mouth with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Contact your emergency dentist Brisbane promptly to assess the damage and determine the appropriate treatment.
Are baby teeth injuries serious if they will eventually fall out?
Yes, injuries to baby teeth can affect the development of permanent teeth. Damage to a primary tooth can lead to issues like enamel defects or misalignment in the adult tooth. It’s important to have any dental injury evaluated by a dentist.
How can I tell if my child has a dental injury after a fall?
Look for signs such as bleeding from the mouth, swelling, chipped or displaced teeth, and complaints of tooth or jaw pain. If any of these symptoms are present, consult a dentist to evaluate the injury.
How can I manage my child's dental anxiety after an injury?
Maintain a calm demeanour to help your child feel secure. Explain the dental visit in simple terms, focusing on the positive aspects. Some dental offices offer child-friendly environments and may use techniques like distraction or sedation to ease anxiety.
When should I seek emergency dental care for my child?
Seek immediate dental attention if your child has a knocked-out permanent tooth, severe toothache, signs of infection (such as swelling or fever), or uncontrolled bleeding. Timely intervention can prevent further complications.
Do you offer sedation options for children who are very anxious about dental treatments?
We offer sedation dentistry tailored for children who may feel nervous or overwhelmed during dental procedures and for our special-needs children in Brisbane. For children who experience high levels of anxiety or need more complex care, we offer sleep dentistry through general anaesthesia. This ensures they are completely relaxed and unaware during the treatment. The team at Brisbane Dental Sleep Clinic asserts that sleep dentistry Brisbane offers a stress-free way to ensure comfort during dental visits.
For less severe anxiety, we also use laughing gas (nitrous oxide), which helps children stay calm and comfortable while still being awake. Contact us to discuss your child’s eligibility and find the best solution for their dental care.
Brisbane’s Trusted Care for Growing Smiles
Accidents happen, but prompt care can protect your child’s dental health. At Pure Dentistry, we offer gentle, professional support for all dental concerns—whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, a chipped crown, or something else. Our team is dedicated to keeping your child’s smile healthy and making sure they feel safe and comfortable during their visit. We understand that dental care can sometimes feel like a big commitment. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans through Humm and Supercare to help make treatment accessible for all families.
Call us on 07 3343 4869 to book an appointment and discuss how we can help.