Tooth Injury

DEFINITION

  • Injury to a tooth

Types of Tooth Injuries

  • Loosened tooth - may bleed a little from the gums. Usually tightens up on its own.
  • Displaced tooth (usually pushed inward)
  • Chipped or fractured tooth
  • Avulsed (knocked out) tooth - a dental emergency for permanent teeth

FIRST AID Advice for Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth:

  • Transport the tooth in some milk or saliva (Milk is the best).
  • If over 30 minutes away, try to replace the tooth in the socket before coming in.
  • Note: Baby teeth can't be re-implanted.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call Your Dentist or Doctor 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 tooth survival) --See FIRST AID
  • 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 under 1 year old

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

  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Baby tooth knocked out by injury (Reason: can't be reimplanted but dentist will check for damage to permanent tooth)
  • Tooth is slightly pushed out of its normal position
  • Can see a chip or fracture line (crack) 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

  • Tooth becomes a darker color
  • You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If

  • Minor tooth injury and you don't think your child needs to be seen

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR 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 (e.g., Tylenol) 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 becomes severe
    • Tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold fluids
    • Tooth becomes a darker color
    • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 7/15/2007

Last Revised: 8/6/2007

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online

Copyright 1994-2007 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.