My son had one of his front permanent teeth knocked out in baseball practice.  Can it be re-implanted?

Yes, if you see a Houston dentist within one hour of the accident. If you delay, the chances of the tooth being successfully re-implanted are significantly lower. If possible, have him rinse his mouth in cool water.  Do not wipe it or scrub it.

Place the tooth in a glass of water, or even better, milk if you have any.  When you travel to the office of your Houston dentist, bring it wrapped it in a clean, damp cloth.

Teeth that have been knocked out like this almost always must be treated with a root canal.  However, the tooth itself should survive for years if it is reimplanted within one hour after the injury. 

To guard against future accidents like this, have your Houston dentist fit your son for a mouthguard and consider purchasing one or more tooth-saver boxes for your home and your car. These boxes are designed specifically for transporting a tooth to the dentist office.

My daughter hit her front baby tooth on the floor and now it's dark. Is it dead?

Unfortunately, it probably is. The dark color is a good indication that impact has broken a blood vessel at the tip of the tooths root.  However, do not give up or panic.  Baby teeth are very resilient and are often known to take blows that would kill permanent teeth. 

Treat this as an emergency, however, and get your daughter to a Houston dentist right away for an examination.

How long will it take to fix my sons tooth that he chipped?

If you are able to locate the fragment, bring it with you to the dental office.  There are occasions where a cosmetic dentist can bond the fragment back onto the tooth.  Even without the fragment, however, a skilled cosmetic dentist can restore the tooth to its natural look and shape in less than one hour.

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

Call your Houston dentist at once.  Many dental professionals recommend rinsing your childs mouth with lukewarm water and applying cloth-wrapped ice to her face.  Professionals do not recommend using any form of heat.  NEVER PUT AN ASPIRIN ON THE TOOTH OR GUMS.  ASPIRIN IS ACIDIC AND CAN BURN THE SKIN.  ONLY SWALLOW ASPIRING, NEVER USE IT FOR TOPICAL CARE.   

Please understand that many children who complain of a toothache sometimes only have food lodged between their teeth. Flossing this area gently may solve the problem immediately.

How do I prevent dental emergencies?

For a toddler, make your entire house child proof.   Pad all sharp corners, handles on furniture, and protruding door knobs.  Lock the doors to the rooms with this furniture when you are not there to supervise your child.  Make sure you belt your child into his or her safety seat every time you are in the car, and always double check the strap on the stroller when you put your child in it. 

Mouthguards can prevent dental emergencies in older children. Most dental injuries happen at or near the home, not on the sports court or athletic field.  A mouthguard needs to worn during all rough play, even if it's just outside your back door.

Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont Midland and Houston, Texas to see Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth OSullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic denistry services.