Tooth Injury

Pediatric HouseCalls Online

DEFINITION

• Injury to a tooth.

Types of Tooth Injuries

• Loosened tooth - may bleed a little from the gums.
• Displaced tooth (usually pushed inward).
• Chipped or fractured tooth.
• Avulsed (knocked out) tooth - a dental emergency for permanent teeth.

FIRST AID Advice for Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth:

• Transport the tooth in some milk or saliva (Milk is the best). 
• If over 30 minutes away, try to replace the tooth in the socket before coming in.
• Note: Baby teeth can't be re-implanted.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call Your Dentist or Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You think your child has a serious injury.
• Permanent tooth knocked out. (Reason: needs reimplantation ASAP; 2 hours is the deadline for tooth survival.)
• See First Aid.
• Permanent tooth is almost falling out
• Baby tooth is almost falling out. 
• Bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
• Tooth is greatly pushed out of its normal position.
• Tooth that's pushed out of its normal position interferes with normal bite.
• Severe pain.
• Age under 1 year old.

Call Your Dentist Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Baby tooth knocked out by injury. (Reason: can't be reimplanted but dentist will check for damage to permanent tooth.)
• Tooth is slightly pushed out of its normal position.
• Can see a chip or fracture line in the tooth.
• Tooth sensitive to cold fluids.
• Tooth feels very loose when you try to move it.

Call Your Dentist During Weekday Office Hours If

• Tooth becomes a darker color
• You have other questions or concerns. 

Parent Care at Home If

• Minor tooth injury and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR DENTAL INJURIES

1. Local Cold: For pain, apply a piece of ice or a popsicle to the injured gum area for 20 minutes.
2. Pain Medicine: If it still hurts, give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
3. Soft Diet: For any loose teeth, offer a soft diet for 3 days. By then, it should be tightened up.
4. Call Your Dentist If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold fluids
   • Tooth becomes a darker color
   • Your child becomes worse 

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Dentist" symptoms.