What to Do When Your Child Knocks Out a Tooth

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What to Do When Your Child Knocks Out a Tooth

Involvement of kids certainly increases the possibility of an accident. Whether it’s a trip, a fall, a collision, or a slip within the house, a lost tooth can be detrimental for both the child and the parent. However, knowing what measures to take in the first few minutes can go a long way in making sure the tooth is preserved and long-term damage is avoided.

Here’s what every parent should know about emergency pediatric dental care.

Don’t Panic: Your Child is Picking Up on Your Emotions

The sight of a missing tooth and blood can be overwhelming, but in order to feel composed, it is important for the parent to stay calm. To soothe the child, a parent needs to take a deep breath, reassure the child, and check the situation.

Step 1: Check whether it is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth

  • Baby Tooth:
If it is an upper primary tooth, try to check whether it is broken. If it is a primary tooth, do not attempt to place it back, since it can damage the permanent tooth that is forming underneath. However, dental checkups need to be conducted to ensure that there is no leftover fragment and surrounding tissues aren’t injured.
  • Permanent Tooth:
If it’s an adult tooth (usually around age 6+), this is a true dental emergency. Time is critical—ideally within 30 minutes to 1 hour for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Step 2: Handle the Tooth Properly

In the case that you have found the full, permanent tooth:

To increase the chances of you saving the tooth, do not:

  • Hold the tooth, darn it’s root. Only hold it by the crown. 
  • If it’s dirty, do not scrub it; gently rinse it with clean water. Do not scrub. 
  • If you feel confident that your child will remain calm and cooperative, you can attempt to put it back in the socket. If not, place the tooth in:
    • – A container of milk 
    • – The child’s saliva
    • – A tooth preservation kit, if you have one

Step 3: Get to a Pediatric Dentist Immediately

Reaching out to the nearest pediatric dental emergency care should be your priority. Time is of utmost importance in these cases. The child has to be seen professionally as soon as possible to ensure the tooth can be salvaged while also avoiding the risk of infection and alignment problems later.

Step 4: Watch for Signs of Further Injury

In some cases, the same trauma that caused the child to lose the tooth might also result in:
  • Loosening and cracking of the adjacent teeth
  • Cuts inside the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue. 
  • Pain and swelling of the jaw

Always mention these so-called “minor” symptoms to the dentist.

What Happens After

Depending on the situation, your child may need:
  • Stabilizing the tooth with splinting  
  • Taking x-rays to assess the level of damage  
  • Healing assessment follow-up appointments  
  • If the tooth is unsalvageable in the long term, there are options like space maintainers or future implants

How to Prevent Future Dental Injuries

Like with most things in life, some accidents are unavoidable.
  • Suggesting the use of a mouthguard for your child during sporting activities  
  • Removing household hazards suitable for young children  
  • Safety instructions like no running while holding things in the mouth.
  • Maintaining a regular schedule with a dentist helps keep the teeth in optimal condition.
A knocked-out tooth is scary, but quick care makes it easier to manage. Stay calm, be gentle, and call the dentist right away.

If your child experiences a dental emergency treatment for kids, our expert team is here to help. Call us right away or walk into our clinic for immediate care. Because every tooth matters—especially the little ones.

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