In a kids dental emergency, stay calm, comfort your child and call your dentist right away. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, put it back in the socket or keep it in cold milk and get to a dentist within 30 minutes if you can. Never put a baby tooth back in.
Children are active, so a fall at the park or a collision during a game can happen in a moment. The American Association of Endodontists notes that more than five million teeth are knocked out every year in children and adults. Knowing the right first steps for each type of injury helps protect your child's teeth on the way to the dental office.
What counts as a dental emergency for a child?
Call your dentist the same day if your child has:
- A knocked out tooth
- A chipped, cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth that was loosened or pushed out of place by a fall or blow
- A toothache that does not go away
- A cut or bite to the lip, cheek or tongue that keeps bleeding
- Swelling of the face or gums
Not sure how urgent it is? Our "Where does it hurt?" symptom guide can help you decide how soon your child should be seen.
What to do if your child knocks out a baby tooth
Do not try to put a baby tooth back in the socket. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) explains that baby teeth should not be replanted because of potential damage to the permanent teeth developing underneath. MedlinePlus gives the same advice.
Instead, comfort your child, press clean gauze or a washcloth against the area if it is bleeding and look for the tooth. The ADA's MouthHealthy site advises keeping a knocked out baby tooth moist and getting to a dentist. The dentist can then check the area and the surrounding teeth.
If you are not sure whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, keep it in milk and call the office right away so we can talk you through the next step.
What to do if a permanent tooth is knocked out
A knocked out permanent tooth is one of the most urgent dental injuries. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) advises acting within 30 minutes. These steps come from the AAE, the AAPD and MedlinePlus:
- Pick it up by the crown. Hold the chewing surface and avoid touching the root.
- Rinse only if it is dirty. Rinse it gently with milk or a little water. Do not scrub it, dry it or clean it with soap.
- Try to put it back. If your child can tolerate it, gently place the tooth back in its socket and have them hold it there by biting on clean gauze or a washcloth.
- If it will not go back in, keep it in cold milk. Do not store it in plain tap water. MedlinePlus cautions against swallowing a tooth held in the mouth, so a clean container of milk is often the simpler choice for a child.
- Get to a dentist right away. Bring the tooth with you.
The AAE notes that a tooth may still be saved even if it has been out of the mouth for an hour or more, so call even if some time has passed.
What to do for a chipped or broken tooth
Rinse your child's mouth with warm water and hold a cold compress on the outside of the face to help keep swelling down. Look for the broken piece and bring it with you. The AAPD advises contacting the dentist right away, noting that fast action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for more extensive treatment.
Even a small chip that does not hurt should be checked. MedlinePlus notes that a broken tooth should still be repaired to avoid sharp edges that can cut the lips or tongue.
What to do for a child's toothache
The ADA's MouthHealthy site recommends rinsing the mouth with warm water and gently flossing to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the tooth or gums because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain continues, call the dentist. A toothache that lasts or keeps coming back is worth an exam.
What about a bitten lip, cheek or tongue?
Clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. MouthHealthy advises seeing a dentist or going to the emergency room if there is excessive bleeding. Our guide on how to stop a cut tongue from bleeding walks through the first steps in more detail.
What if something is stuck between your child's teeth?
Try to remove it gently with dental floss. Do not use a sharp or pointed object to dig it out. If it will not come loose, call the dentist.
How can you prevent dental injuries in kids?
The AAPD recommends a mouthguard whenever an activity involves a risk of falls, collisions or contact with hard surfaces or equipment. MedlinePlus also recommends a mouthguard for contact sports and a seatbelt in the car. Regular children's checkups and dental care also give your dentist a chance to find small problems before they become painful ones.
When to see a dentist
Call the office the same day for any injury to a tooth, even if your child seems fine afterward. Call promptly as well for a toothache that lasts, swelling of the face or gums or a tooth that looks darker or feels loose after a fall.
What to expect at our Palo Alto office
Palo Alto Oral Health is a family practice at 2875 Middlefield Road in Midtown Palo Alto that has cared for local families since 1958. We offer same day emergency visits Monday through Thursday and Friday mornings, so call as soon as an injury happens. Dr. Shawn Sharma, a team dentist for Stanford Sports Medicine, will examine the injury, explain what he sees and talk with you about the next steps. Families visit us from Palo Alto, Menlo Park and nearby communities.
Common questions
Should I put my child's baby tooth back in?
No. The AAPD and MedlinePlus advise against replanting baby teeth because of possible damage to the permanent tooth developing underneath. Keep the tooth moist, comfort your child and call the dentist.
How quickly does a knocked out permanent tooth need care?
As quickly as possible. The AAE advises getting to a dentist within 30 minutes, though a tooth may still be saved after an hour or more. Keep the tooth in its socket or in cold milk on the way.
When should I take my child to the emergency room instead?
Go to a hospital emergency department right away if your child may have a broken jaw, for example if they cannot close their upper and lower teeth together. MouthHealthy also advises emergency care for a mouth injury with excessive bleeding.
If your child has a dental injury, call (650) 321-9693 right away or request an appointment for a checkup.
Sources
American Association of Endodontists: Knocked Out Teeth
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: Active Kids, Healthy Teeth
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Dental Emergencies
MedlinePlus: Broken or Knocked Out Tooth
This article provides general education and does not replace an individual dental examination or diagnosis.
