Go to the dentist right away. It’s best for your child to see a dentist within 30 minutes. Don’t forget to bring the tooth and any tooth pieces you can find!
Baby tooth (primary) – It’s normal for children to lose baby teeth, but an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the permanent tooth underneath it.
- If a tooth is completely out, do not try to put it back into the tooth socket.
- Bring your child and the tooth and/or any piece of the tooth with you to the dentist.
Adult tooth (Permanent)- Unlike a baby tooth that is knocked out, an adult tooth should be put back into its socket (if possible).
- Hold the tooth by the top and not by the root.
- If it looks dirty, rinse the root briefly with water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached bits of tissue.
- Try to gently insert the tooth into its socket then hold it there with a clean washcloth or gauze pad. If this isn’t possible, try these options in this order:
- See if your child can hold the tooth under their tongue or between the cheek and gums.
- Put the tooth in a container with milk, saliva, saline (salt) solution, or an emergency tooth preservation kit.
- If none of those liquids are available, put the tooth in water.
Go to the dentist right away and bring the broken tooth piece with you (if possible).
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean.
- If you can find the broken tooth piece, wrap it in some wet gauze or a wet towel.
- Put a cold compress (ice pack or washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the face to reduce swelling.
- Clean the area gently with a cloth and place a cold compress over the area (if possible) to keep the swelling down.
- If there is a lot of bleeding, or it doesn’t stop after 1-2 hours, take your child to their dentist or physician, or to an urgent care center.
- Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
- Gently try to remove the object with dental floss.
- If floss doesn’t work, take your child to their dentist.
Swelling of the face can be a sign of a serious infection. If your child’s face is swollen, take your child to their dentist or physician.
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out.
- Give your child what you would normally give them for pain, but do not put aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gums.
Apply a cold compress to control swelling. Take your child to the dentist or an urgent care center right away.
