Pediatric Dental Emergencies: Advice for Parents

Seeing your child in pain or with a dental injury is distressing for any parent. Children are active and prone to bumps and falls, making dental trauma common. Knowing how to react calmly and quickly can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsion)

The rules differ depending on whether it is a baby tooth or an adult tooth.

Baby Tooth: NEVER put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. Doing so can damage the adult tooth developing underneath in the gum. Control the bleeding with a clean gauze and bring the child to see us to check for other injuries.

Adult Tooth: This is an emergency. You must act fast (within 60 mins).
1. Find the tooth. Hold it by the crown (white top), not the root.
2. If dirty, lick it clean or rinse briefly with milk (don't scrub).
3. Push it back into the socket immediately. Have the child bite on a handkerchief to hold it.
4. If you can't re-plant it, store it in milk or the child's saliva (have them spit in a cup).
5. Come straight to us.

Broken/Chipped Tooth

If a large piece of tooth breaks off, try to find it. Keep it in water/milk. We can often bond it back on. If the tooth looks red or bleeding in the center, the nerve is exposed. This is painful and needs urgent treatment to seal the nerve.

Toothache

Toothache in children is usually caused by food trapped between teeth or decay.
- Floss gently on either side of the tooth.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Give child-appropriate painkillers (Calpol/Nurofen).
- Do NOT put heat on the cheek or aspirin on the gum.
- Book an appointment. Infections in children can spread very fast.

Managing Anxiety

Your child will pick up on your panic. Try to remain calm and positive. Tell them the dentist is a "tooth helper" who will stop the hurt. Avoid words like "needle," "pull," or "pain." Our team is trained in pediatric care and will use child-friendly language to put them at ease.