Tooth Injury

First Aid - Tooth - Knocked Out

First Aid - Tooth - Transport in Milk

First Aid - Tooth - Transport in Saliva

Definition

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

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
You think your child needs to be seen urgently

You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently
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 feels very loose when you try to move it

Local Cold: For pain, apply a piece of ice or a popsicle to the injured gum area for 20 minutes.
Pain Medicine: If it still hurts, give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
Soft Diet: For any loose teeth, offer a soft diet for 3 days. By then, it should be tightened up.
Call Your Dentist If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold fluids
- Tooth becomes a darker color
- Your child becomes worse

Author: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last reviewed: 9/15/2011
Last revised: 8/1/2011 3:34:03 PM