Children are active, adventurous, and sometimes a little reckless. Falls on the playground, sports injuries, or accidental slips can lead to chipped, broken, or even knocked-out teeth. As a parent, knowing what to do in the first few minutesafter a dental injury can make a huge difference in saving your child’s tooth and preventing further complications.
This guide will help you handle common dental injuries, provide first-aid solutions, and know when to seek emergency dental care.
Chipped or Broken Tooth: What to Do
A chipped or broken tooth is one of the most common childhood dental injuries. Even a small crack can lead to pain and potential infection, so it’s important to act quickly.
Immediate Steps:
✅ Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.
✅ Check for pain or bleeding—apply gentle pressure with gauze if necessary.
✅ Save the broken piece (if possible) and store it in milk or saliva—a dentist may be able to reattach it.
✅ Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and ease discomfort.
✅ Call a pediatric dentist immediately for an evaluation.
Some small chips might not require treatment, but if the fracture exposes the nerve, your child may need a filling, crown, or even a root canal to protect the tooth from infection.
Knocked-Out Baby Tooth: What to Do
If your child knocks out a baby tooth, it can be alarming, but it’s not usually a dental emergency. Baby teeth are meant to fall out naturally, but losing one too early may require an evaluation by a dentist.
Do NOT try to reinsert the baby tooth—this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Immediate Steps:
✅ Rinse the mouth gently with water.
✅ Apply pressure with gauze to stop any bleeding.
✅ Use a cold compress on the face to reduce swelling.
✅ Call your child’s dentist to check if space maintenance is needed.
In most cases, no additional treatment is needed, but your dentist may recommend a space maintainer to prevent neighboring teeth from shifting.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth: What to Do
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. The sooner the tooth is reinserted, the higher the chance of saving it.
Immediate Steps:
✅ Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (avoid touching the root).
✅ Gently rinse it with water if it’s dirty, but do NOT scrub or remove any tissue fragments.
✅ Place the tooth in milk or your child’s saliva to keep it moist. If possible, your child can hold it between their cheek and gums.
✅ Call the dentist immediately—time is critical. If reinserted within 30-60 minutes, the tooth has a higher chance of survival.
The dentist may attempt to reimplant the tooth and secure it with a splint. If it cannot be saved, options like dental implants or bridges may be discussed in the future.
When to See a Dentist Immediately
Some injuries might seem minor but still require professional evaluation. Call your child’s dentist if you notice:
⚠️ Severe pain or persistent bleeding
⚠️ A loose or misaligned tooth after an accident
⚠️ Gums turning dark or swelling significantly
⚠️ Signs of infection, such as fever or pus near the injury
⚠️ Difficulty eating, drinking, or closing the mouth properly
How to Prevent Dental Injuries
While accidents can’t always be avoided, parents can take preventive steps to protect their child’s teeth:
✔️ Use a mouthguard during sports to prevent impact injuries.
✔️ Teach kids to avoid chewing on hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy.
✔️ Supervise younger children to prevent falls on hard surfaces.
✔️ Ensure proper dental care to strengthen teeth against potential damage.
Emergency Pediatric Dental Care at OSO Pediatric Dentistry
If your child experiences a chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth, quick action is key. At OSO Pediatric Dentistry, we provide immediate, expert care to handle dental emergencies and keep your child’s smile healthy.
📞 Save our number for emergencies: (805) 204-2910. Call us right away if your child needs urgent dental care.