A knock to your child’s mouth — from a fall, a bike accident, a bump at sport or just rough-and-tumble play — is frightening for any parent. The good news is that most dental injuries can be managed calmly, and Tooth Town can often see trauma cases urgently. This guide walks you through what to do in the first hour, scenario by scenario, so you know what to do while you get your child seen.
If in doubt, contact us straight away. For anything involving a dental injury, it’s always better to call than to wait and see.
Stay calm — it helps your child more than anything else
Children take their cues from you. A calm voice and a reassuring hug help your child feel safe, even if they’re upset, bleeding a little, or in shock. You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong before you get help — your job in the first few minutes is simply to comfort your child, control any bleeding, and get in touch with us.
Chipped tooth
A small chip often looks worse than it is, but it still needs to be checked — even a minor chip can affect the nerve of the tooth or leave a sharp edge that irritates the tongue or cheek. If you can find the broken piece, keep it in some water or milk and bring it with you. Rinse your child’s mouth gently with water and contact Tooth Town as soon as possible to arrange a check.
Loosened or wobbly tooth after an injury
If a tooth feels wobblier than usual after a knock but hasn’t moved out of position, avoid letting your child wiggle it, and offer only soft foods for now. This still needs prompt assessment, as the tooth’s blood supply and root can be affected even when nothing looks visibly wrong. Contact us straight away to arrange a check.
Tooth pushed out of position
If a tooth has been pushed further into the gum, pushed outward, or looks like it’s sitting at a different angle than before, do not try to move it back into place yourself. This is time-sensitive — contact Tooth Town immediately, or if it’s outside our hours and you’re concerned, seek urgent care so the injury can be assessed as soon as possible.
Knocked-out baby tooth
If a baby (primary) tooth has been completely knocked out, do not try to put it back in. Reinserting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Keep your child calm, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp cloth if there’s bleeding, and contact us as soon as possible so we can check the area and the adult tooth underneath.
Knocked-out permanent (adult) tooth
This is a dental emergency and every minute counts. If you can find the tooth:
- Pick it up by the crown (the white, visible part) only — never touch the root.
- If it’s visibly dirty, rinse it gently in water for a few seconds only — do not scrub it or use soap.
- If your child is old enough and can cooperate calmly, try gently reinserting the tooth into its socket, then have them bite down softly on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can’t reinsert it, keep the tooth moist at all times — in milk, in your child’s saliva, or in a tooth-preservation solution if you have one. Never let it dry out, and never store it in tap water.
Contact Tooth Town immediately, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department or an emergency dental service if we’re unreachable. Getting the tooth back in place within the first hour gives it the best chance.
Cut lip, gum or mouth with bleeding
A split lip or bleeding gum can look alarming, especially with the amount a small mouth can bleed. Apply firm, gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp cloth for a few minutes, and use a cold compress on the outside of the lip or cheek to reduce swelling. Even if the teeth look fine, it’s worth contacting Tooth Town, as we can check for injuries hiding beneath the surface.
When to go straight to hospital
Any dental injury deserves a call to us. But if your child has also hit their head, lost consciousness even briefly, is vomiting, seems drowsy or confused, or you’re worried about a broken jaw, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance rather than waiting for a dental appointment. If you’re ever unsure whether an injury is dental or medical, treat it as medical first.
How we help at Tooth Town
Dental trauma is something we see and manage regularly, and we understand how stressful it is for both you and your child. When you contact us about an injury, we’ll talk you through what to do right then and there, and we can often arrange to see trauma cases urgently. At the appointment, we’ll assess the injury, take any X-rays needed, and explain the options clearly before deciding on treatment together with you. What’s needed for your child is always confirmed once we’ve had a chance to examine them.
Frequently asked questions
Should I try to put a knocked-out tooth back in myself?
For a permanent (adult) tooth, gently reinserting it can be attempted if your child can cooperate calmly — handle it by the crown only, never the root. For a baby tooth, do not try to reinsert it; contact us instead.
My child’s tooth looks fine but their lip is bleeding a lot — do I still need to call?
Yes. Bleeding can look worse than it is, but it’s still worth contacting us, as injuries to the teeth or gums aren’t always visible straight away.
How urgently can Tooth Town see a dental injury?
We can often see trauma cases urgently. Contact us as soon as the injury happens and we’ll advise on next steps and timing.
What should I do if my child chips a tooth but isn’t in pain?
Still get it checked. A chip without pain can still affect the tooth underneath, and we can advise on whether any treatment is needed.
Is it an emergency if my child hits their head as well as their mouth?
Yes — head injuries should be treated as medical emergencies first. Go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance, then follow up with us about the dental injury once your child has been checked.
What can I do to help while I get my child to Tooth Town?
Stay calm, control any bleeding with gentle pressure using clean gauze, offer a cold compress for swelling, and keep any knocked-out tooth or broken piece moist rather than letting it dry out.
What to do next
If your child has had a dental injury, the most important step is simple: contact Tooth Town straight away. We’ll guide you through what to do and get your child seen as quickly as we can. Save our details somewhere handy so they’re easy to find in a hurry — it’s one less thing to worry about if the moment comes.
This guide is general first-aid information and doesn’t replace an in-person assessment. Your child’s clinician will confirm the right treatment after examining them, and if you’re ever concerned about your child’s immediate health or safety, seek urgent medical care.