Managing dental trauma – Steps to take after a child’s tooth injury

Dental injuries are common in childhood, with nearly 30% of children experiencing some form of dental trauma before reaching adulthood. These injuries typically occur during sports, playground activities, falls, or accidents at home. The actions taken in the crucial minutes following an injury can significantly impact the long-term outcome. Smile Buds Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides this guide to help parents confidently navigate dental emergencies.

First response for different types of dental injuries

When a child experiences a dental injury, your immediate response should be guided by the specific type of trauma. Different injuries require different approaches in those critical first moments.

For a knocked-out permanent tooth, time is critical. The tooth has the best chance of survival if reimplanted within 30-60 minutes. If your child loses a permanent tooth:

• Handle the tooth only by the crown (never touch the root)
• Gently rinse with milk or saline if dirty without scrubbing the surface
• Reinsert the tooth if you can
• If reinsertion isn’t possible, place the tooth in milk saline solution or have the child hold it on their cheek
• Seek emergency dental care immediately

Baby teeth, however, require different handling. Don’t attempt to reinsert if a primary tooth is knocked out. Instead, use clean gauze to control bleeding with gentle pressure, save the tooth if you can find it, and contact a dentist promptly for guidance.

Chipped or fractured teeth vary in severity and urgency. Recover any fragments if possible, as modern dental techniques may allow for reattachment. Apply cold compresses to your child’s face to reduce swelling after rinsing their mouth with warm water. Small chips may cause sensitivity but rarely constitute emergencies. However, if you see pink or red pulp tissue exposed in the fracture, this exposure of the tooth’s nerve requires prompt professional attention.

When a tooth is pushed inward, outward, or sideways but not knocked out completely, please don’t attempt to reposition it yourself. These displaced teeth often require professional repositioning and possible stabilisation to heal properly.

When immediate care is needed versus when to wait

Not all dental injuries require rushing to an emergency appointment. Understanding true emergencies and less urgent situations helps parents respond appropriately while avoiding unnecessary panic.

Seek emergency care within hours for:

• Knocked-out permanent teeth
• Severely displaced teeth
• Fractures exposing the pink pulp tissue
• Jaw fractures or severe dislocations
• Situations where your child cannot bring their teeth together normally

These conditions require prompt intervention to preserve dental health and prevent further complications.

Moderate chips or fractures without pulp exposure generally can wait for an urgent care appointment within 24 hours. The same goes for minor tooth displacement or significant temperature sensitivity. These conditions need professional attention soon but aren’t typically time-critical in the first few hours.

For minor chips affecting only enamel or mild sensitivity without visible damage, routine care within a few days is usually sufficient. When you doubt the severity of your child’s dental injury, calling a dental professional for guidance is always the best approach. Many dental offices provide emergency phone consultations to help determine the appropriate timing for care.

The proper response to dental trauma makes the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Creating a dental emergency plan before injuries occur helps families respond quickly and appropriately to accidents.

Name: Smile Buds Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Address: 3342 Verdugo Rd suite b, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Website: https://www.smilebuds.com/

Phone: (323) 825-8558