Your child falls off a bike, gets hit during sports or bumps their mouth — and suddenly you’re looking at a chipped, loose or missing tooth.

What should you do?

First, stay as calm as you can and check your child for other injuries. Dental injuries can range from a small chip to a tooth that has been completely knocked out. What you should do next depends partly on the type of injury and whether the damaged tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth.

What Should I Do If My Child Chips a Tooth?

If part of a tooth breaks off, have your child gently rinse their mouth with water. If you can find the broken piece, save it and bring it with you to the dentist.

A cold compress held against the outside of the face can help with swelling after an injury.

Even a chip that looks small should be evaluated if you are concerned. A dentist can determine how deeply the tooth was damaged and whether treatment is needed.

What If the Tooth Is Cracked but Still in Place?

A cracked tooth may not always be obvious. Your child might complain that the tooth hurts when biting, feels sensitive to temperature or simply feels different after the accident.

Because the extent of a crack can be difficult to judge at home, call the dentist after a significant impact to a tooth — especially if your child develops pain, sensitivity or difficulty chewing.

What If My Child Knocks Out a Baby Tooth?

Do not try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket.

Replanting a primary tooth can potentially damage the permanent tooth developing underneath it.

Call your dentist so the injury can be evaluated. The dentist may want to examine the area, check for other damage and monitor the developing permanent tooth.

What If My Child Knocks Out a Permanent Tooth?

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Time matters.

If you can find the tooth:

• Pick it up by the crown — the white part you normally see — not by the root

• If it is dirty, gently rinse it briefly without scrubbing the root

• Do not scrape, brush or remove tissue from the root

• If appropriate and your child is able to cooperate safely, the tooth may be gently placed back into its socket

• If it cannot be replaced, keep the tooth moist and get dental care immediately

If you are unsure whether the missing tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, do not guess about replanting it. Call a dentist immediately and explain your child’s age and what happened.

What If My Child’s Tooth Is Loose After an Injury?

A tooth can be loosened or moved without being completely knocked out. It may look longer, shorter, pushed backward or simply feel loose.

Don’t repeatedly wiggle or test the tooth. Call a dentist so the tooth and surrounding tissues can be evaluated.

When Is a Child’s Dental Injury an Emergency?

Call a dentist promptly for a knocked-out permanent tooth, significant tooth fracture, displaced or very loose tooth, uncontrolled dental pain or other serious tooth injury.

Some accidents involve more than the teeth. If your child has severe facial trauma, heavy bleeding that will not stop, difficulty breathing or swallowing, loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting or other signs of a potentially serious head injury, seek emergency medical care.

When you’re unsure how serious a dental injury is, call and explain exactly what happened. The dental office can help determine the appropriate next step.

Can a Chipped Tooth Be Repaired?

Often, yes. The appropriate treatment depends on whether the tooth is primary or permanent and how much of the tooth was damaged.

Treatment can range from smoothing or monitoring a minor chip to bonding or another restoration for more significant damage. Deeper injuries may require additional treatment. The first step is determining exactly how much of the tooth has been affected.

Dental Injuries in Kids & Teens Near Beaverton

Falls, sports and everyday accidents happen. If your child damages a tooth and you’re in Beaverton, Cedar Hills or the surrounding Portland area, call Cedar Hills Dental Care and tell us what happened.

Christine Chin, DMD earned her D.M.D. from OHSU in 1989 and has more than 35 years of dental experience. Cedar Hills Dental Care has cared for more than 10,000 smiles since 1986, with an emphasis on comfortable, compassionate and patient-centered dental care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take my child to the dentist for a small chipped tooth?

If a tooth has been damaged, it is reasonable to call your dentist and describe what happened. A seemingly small chip may involve more of the tooth than is visible at home.

Can I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?

No. A knocked-out baby tooth generally should not be replanted because doing so could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.

How quickly should a knocked-out permanent tooth be treated?

Immediately. A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. Call a dentist and seek dental care as quickly as possible.

Recommended Reading for Parents

What Is Considered a Dental Emergency? When to Call a Dentist →

Learn which dental problems may need prompt attention and when emergency medical care may be necessary.

Cracked Tooth: Signs & Treatment Options →

Learn more about cracked teeth, possible symptoms and why an examination matters.

Children’s Dentistry at Cedar Hills Dental Care →

Learn more about dental care for children and growing smiles.

Family Dentist Near Beaverton: Dental Care for Kids, Parents & Adults →

Learn about comfortable family dental care for children and adults near Beaverton.