Call a dentist promptly after your child chips or knocks out a tooth. The next steps depend on the injury and whether the tooth is baby or permanent. A knocked-out permanent tooth needs immediate attention; a baby tooth must not be put back into its socket.
It can be difficult to make those distinctions while your child is upset. Start with their overall safety, then describe what happened to the dental team. You do not need to have every answer before calling.
For families in High River, Blossom Dental Centre’s emergency dental care is the relevant service to ask about when a child has a dental injury.
Check for other injuries first
A tooth injury may be one part of a fall, collision or blow to the face. Before concentrating on the tooth, check for breathing problems, uncontrolled bleeding or signs of a serious head or facial injury. Those concerns require urgent medical attention.
If your child is safe and responsive, look gently at the mouth. Try to establish whether a small piece is missing, the tooth has moved or the whole tooth appears to be out. Do not pull on a loose tooth or probe the socket.
Note the time of the accident and how it happened. Tell the dentist if your child cannot close their mouth normally or if you cannot account for a missing tooth or fragment.
If you are unsure whether the injury is limited to the mouth, explain that to the healthcare professional assessing your child. Dental care should not delay attention to a potentially serious wider injury.
If the tooth is chipped
A chipped tooth should be assessed even when the child is not in much pain. What looks like a small missing corner may not show everything that happened to the tooth or nearby tissues.
Save any fragment you can find and bring it in a clean container. Do not use household glue or try to smooth the tooth yourself. Avoid having the child bite repeatedly to test whether it hurts.
SickKids’ guidance on tooth injuries distinguishes minor chips from more significant injuries and advises dental assessment. Tell the office whether the tooth is permanent, whether it is loose and whether the injury has changed your child’s bite.
Ask for advice about eating and comfort while you arrange the visit. Any medication advice should be appropriate to your child’s age and health; do not assume that an adult product or dose is suitable.
If a baby tooth is knocked out
Do not reinsert a baby tooth. Contact a dentist so the injury and surrounding area can be assessed.
The goal is not simply to fill the empty space. The dentist needs to consider the tissues and the developing permanent tooth underneath. Explain your child’s age, which tooth was involved and whether there was a significant blow.
If you cannot find the tooth, say so. Do not assume it has simply fallen somewhere harmless or spend time searching while an injured child needs attention.
Keep your child calm and avoid poking the socket. If there is bleeding, follow the advice you receive about gentle pressure. Uncontrolled bleeding or difficulty breathing requires emergency medical care.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out
A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. Contact a dentist immediately and tell them that the entire adult tooth is out.
Handle the tooth by the crown, the part normally visible above the gum, rather than the root. The BC Dental Association’s emergency guidance explains that a permanent tooth may be gently rinsed and repositioned when appropriate; if it cannot be replaced, it can be kept in milk while urgent care is arranged.
Do not scrub the root, let the tooth dry out or force it into place. If you are unsure whether the tooth is permanent or whether replacement is safe, keep it moist and obtain immediate professional guidance.
Do not store a loose tooth inside a young child’s mouth, where it could be swallowed or inhaled. Stay focused on getting help rather than repeatedly handling the tooth.
Prompt action may improve the opportunity to preserve a permanent tooth, but no outcome can be guaranteed. The dentist must assess the injury and explain what can be done.
What happens at the dental visit and afterward
The dentist may examine the injured tooth or socket, neighbouring teeth, soft tissues and the bite. Imaging or further assessment may be needed.
The recommended care depends on the tooth type, the damage and the circumstances of the injury. A chip, displacement and complete loss of a tooth are different problems, so there is no single repair that fits every accident.
Ask what you need to do at home and when the area should be reviewed. Report new pain, swelling, gum changes, tooth colour changes or a change in eating. An injury can require follow-up even after the initial discomfort settles.
If more than one caregiver is involved, share the instructions and contact information with them. Keeping everyone informed can prevent accidental pressure on the area or a missed follow-up.
Questions to Ask at Your Appointment
Once the immediate concern is addressed, ask:
- Which teeth and tissues were affected?
- Is the injured tooth baby or permanent?
- What treatment or monitoring is recommended?
- What should my child avoid while the area recovers?
- Which changes need an urgent call?
- When should we return for review?
Let the team know if your child is frightened or has communication or sensory needs. Explain what helps them cope so the assessment can be discussed with those needs in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether the tooth is baby or adult?
Your child’s age and which teeth have already been replaced can help, but do not guess if you are unsure. Describe the tooth to the dental team and ask for immediate guidance.
Should I put a baby tooth back in its socket?
No. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be replanted. Arrange dental assessment of the injury instead.
What if we cannot find the tooth?
Tell the dentist or medical professional that the tooth is missing. They need that information when assessing the injury. If there is any breathing concern, seek emergency medical attention.
Should I bring a chipped fragment?
Yes, if you can find it safely. Keep it in a clean container and let the dentist assess whether it can be used. Do not attempt to glue it back yourself.
Does a painless injury still need a dentist?
Yes. Pain does not reliably show how much damage occurred. Describe the accident and follow the dental team’s advice about assessment.
Talk to Blossom Dental Centre
For a child’s dental injury in High River, contact Blossom Dental Centre promptly and explain what happened. Say at the start of the call if a permanent tooth has been knocked out, a tooth has moved or there are significant symptoms so the team can advise on the next step.