Oh No! My Child Knocked Out a Tooth – What Should I Do?

You’re relaxing by the beach, listening to the sounds of crashing waves, and enjoying your little getaway with the family. Life couldn’t get any sweeter.

Then, you hear a shrill scream, and your serene state comes to an abrupt halt. You look over and see your child crying, quickly realizing that their tooth got knocked out.

Accidents happen all the time, especially with children. It can be unsettling for both parties when the child is bleeding and missing a tooth, but rest assured, the situation can be resolved if you stay calm. Here are some tips on what you should do when a child knocked out a tooth.

What Should I Do When a Baby Tooth is Knocked Out?

Kids will eventually lose all their baby teeth naturally, but what happens when one’s knocked out prematurely? The good news is that dislodged baby teeth have less potential to cause severe damage since they’re not permanently rooted into the jawbone. Your primary focus in this situation should be to console your child and tend to the wound.

You can have your child rinse their mouth out with water, then bite down on gauze or a clean washcloth soaked in cold water to help reduce swelling and stop bleeding. Once the situation has been diffused, contact your dentist right away and schedule a visit so they can assess the injury and make sure nearby teeth and gums are OK.

What Should I Do When a Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out?

It gets a little more complicated when a permanent tooth is knocked out, but it’s still just as important to remain calm. First, focus on consoling your child and using a compress to control the bleeding. Then, you’ll need to locate the tooth and save it using one of these two options:

• Avoid the roots and hold the tooth only by the top. If it’s dirty, gently rinse it in a bowl of lukewarm tap water. Then, attempt to reinsert it back into the socket and have your child bite down on gauze or a paper towel to hold it in place until you reach your dentist.
• If you’re unable to reinsert the tooth, place it in a small cup of milk or your saltwater. It needs to stay moist while you transport it to the dental office.

Once you have taken care of the tooth, contact your dentist immediately and schedule an emergency visit. Time is precious in this matter, and the sooner you see a dentist, the better chance they have of saving the tooth.

Children are prone to injuries no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Knowing how to handle an incident, like a tooth getting knocked out, can prepare you and your child to calmly resolve the situation—then your child will be happily running around in no time.

About the Author

Dr. John T. Thompson has proudly offered high-quality dental care for Corpus Christi residents for over 36 years. When it comes to caring for kids, he provides comprehensive children’s and family dentistry services and welcomes patients of all ages. If your child gets their tooth knocked out, Dr. Thompson is a go-to source for urgent dental care and can assist you quickly. He can be reached via our website or by phone at (361) 242-3151.