Tooth Trauma

Injury Definition

• Loosened tooth – if mild, usually tightens up on its own (may bleed a little from the gums).
• Displaced tooth (usually pushed inward)
• Chipped or fractured tooth
• To prevent permanent pulpal damage, fractures into the pulp need to be treated within 24 hours.
• Avulsed (knocked out) tooth is a dental emergency for permanent teeth

Call Your Dentist 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 survival. First Aid Advice: Transport the tooth in some saliva or milk. If over 30 minutes away, try to replace the tooth in the socket before coming in.
• 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 < 1 year old

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

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Baby tooth knocked out by trauma (Reason: can’t be reimplanted but dentist will check 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

• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If

• Mild tooth injury and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for Mild 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 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 become severe
   • Tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold fluids
   • Tooth becomes a darker color
   • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Dentist Now” symptoms