Dental Emergencies: What Parents Should Know

1. Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

A knocked-out baby tooth may look alarming, but it’s usually not an emergency unless there’s severe bleeding or your child is in extreme pain.

What to Do

• Stay calm (your child will follow your reaction).
• Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to stop bleeding.
• Give a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Do not try to reinsert the baby tooth—this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.

When to Call a Dentist

If a tooth comes out prematurely, it’s important to contact your dentist to make sure surrounding teeth and adult teeth aren’t affected.

2. Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

This is a true dental emergency. A permanent tooth has the best chance of surviving if treated within 30 minutes.

What to Do Immediately

• Find the tooth. Hold it only by the crown (top), never the root.
• Do NOT scrub or wash with soap. Lightly rinse with water if dirty.
• Try to reinsert the tooth.
  • Gently place it back into the socket.
  • Have your child bite down softly on a cloth to hold it in place.
• If you cannot reinsert it:
  • Place the tooth in a clean cup of milk, saline, or your child’s saliva.
  • Do not store it dry.

When to Call a Dentist

Immediately. The sooner the tooth is treated, the higher the chance it can be saved.

3. Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Tooth

Children may chip or crack their teeth while eating hard foods, falling, or during sports.

Signs to Watch For

• Visible crack or fragment missing.
• Sharp edges
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain while biting

What to Do

• Rinse the mouth with warm water.
• Apply a cold compress for swelling.
• Save the broken pieces if possible—they may be useful for repair.
• Avoid giving your child food on that side of the mouth.

When to Call a Dentist

As soon as possible. Even small chips can worsen or expose nerves, leading to infection.

4. Toothache

A toothache can range from mild to severe, and often signals an underlying issue.

Common Causes

• Cavities
• Food trapped between teeth
• New tooth erupting
• Cracked tooth
• Dental infection

What to Do

• Have your child rinse with warm salt water.
• Help them gently floss the area to remove trapped food.
• Use a cold compress if swelling is present.
• Do not apply aspirin or numbing gel directly to the gums—it can burn the tissue.

When to Call a Dentist

If the pain lasts more than a few hours, is severe, or is accompanied by fever or swelling, seek dental care right away.

5. Dental Abscess (Infection)

An abscess is a painful pocket of infection, often caused by untreated cavities or trauma. This is a medical and dental emergency because the infection can spread.

Symptoms

• Severe pain
• Swollen gums
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Pus
• Swelling in the face or jaw

What to Do

• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water.
• Give age-appropriate pain relief, if needed.
• Avoid pressing or poking the swollen area.

When to Seek Immediate Care

Immediately. A dental abscess needs prompt treatment to prevent complications.

6. Injuries to the Lips, Tongue, or Gums

These soft-tissue injuries are common because kids often fall or accidentally bite their lips or tongue.

What to Do

• Clean the area gently with water.
• Apply pressure with gauze to stop bleeding.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Offer cold water or ice pops to soothe the area.

When to Call a Dentist

If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10–15 minutes, or if the cut is deep and requires stitches, seek professional care.

7. Broken or Loose Braces & Appliances

Orthodontic issues can cause discomfort or injury if not handled properly.

What to Do

• Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp wires.
• If a wire is poking, gently push it back with a cotton swab.
• Do not cut wires unless instructed by your dentist.

When to Call

Contact your orthodontist promptly for repair.