Children are active, curious and sometimes accident-prone. Dental emergencies — from a chipped tooth during play to a knocked-out tooth from a fall — can happen at any age. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
Knocked-out permanent tooth
This is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. If a permanent tooth (not a baby tooth) is knocked out completely:
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (white part), never the root
- If it's dirty, rinse gently with milk or clean water — do not scrub or use soap
- Try to place the tooth back in the socket gently. Have the child bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place
- If you can't replant it, place the tooth in a cup of cold milk or the child's saliva
- Get to a dentist within 30 minutes — time is critical for reimplantation success
Knocked-out baby tooth
Do NOT try to replant a baby tooth. Pushing it back in can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Stop any bleeding with gentle pressure using a clean cloth, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and see a dentist to ensure no fragments remain and the permanent tooth is unaffected.
Chipped or broken tooth
- Rinse the child's mouth with warm water
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling
- Save any broken pieces if possible
- Visit the dentist as soon as possible — the type of repair depends on the extent of the break
Severe toothache
- Rinse the mouth with warm salt water
- Gently floss around the affected tooth to remove any trapped food
- Give an age-appropriate pain reliever (consult your paediatrician for dosage)
- Do not apply aspirin directly to the tooth or gum
- See the dentist promptly — a severe toothache often indicates infection
When to go to the hospital
Seek emergency medical care if there is uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, suspected jaw fracture, or if the injury involves the head or face beyond the teeth.
Save our clinic number (+91 95008 84242) in your phone so you can call us immediately in an emergency. At Care & Cure, we prioritise emergency appointments and will guide you through the immediate steps over the phone while you're on your way.