One second your child is racing across the yard or diving for a ball at practice and the next second they are standing in front of you holding a tooth. The panic that follows is real but the first few minutes after a tooth gets knocked out matter more than almost anything else that happens next. Knowing what to do right away, before you even pick up the phone, can make the difference between a tooth that gets saved and one that does not.
At Main Street Pediatric Dentistry of Belmont, Dr. Matthew Savage and the pediatric dental team treat these moments as part of everyday practice. Our team handles dental emergencies for kids throughout Belmont and the surrounding communities and we would rather you call us with questions than guess on your own. If your child has ever knocked out a tooth or you want to be ready before it happens, this guide walks through exactly what to do first.
Take a Breath Before You Act
Children look to the adults around them to gauge how serious a situation is, so your response in that first moment sets the tone. Speak calmly and check for other injuries first, especially to the lips, jaw, or head because a hard enough hit to knock out a tooth can sometimes cause additional trauma, including head trauma. Once you know your child is otherwise okay, you can shift your focus to the tooth itself.
Handling a Baby Tooth
If the tooth belongs to a younger child, there is a decent chance it is a primary tooth rather than a permanent one. Baby teeth generally should not be put back into the socket because reinserting one can further damage the permanent tooth developing underneath the gum line. Instead, clean the area gently with a damp cloth, control any bleeding with light pressure and call our office so we can check for any damage to the surrounding gum or bone.
Handling a Permanent Tooth
Permanent teeth are a different story and speed matters. According to HeadStart.gov’s guidance on oral injuries, checking whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent one is one of the first steps caregivers should take because the response differs for each. If it turns out to be permanent, act fast and follow these steps.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root, to avoid damaging the delicate cells that help it reattach.
- Try to place it back into the socket facing the right direction or keep it moist ideally in milk or your child’s saliva if that is not possible to minimize dry time.
- Get to our office to have Dr. Savage evaluate the situation or an emergency room right away because a permanent tooth has the best chance of survival when it is replanted within the first hour with minimal dry time.
Every minute the tooth spends outside the mouth lowers the chance of a successful reattachment, so do not wait to see if the bleeding stops on its own before reaching out.
Get the Right Care Quickly
Once you have handled the tooth itself, bringing your child to a dentist who treats these situations often becomes the next priority. Main Street Pediatric Dentistry sees families for dental emergencies throughout Belmont and surrounding areas.
Our first visit page covers how we welcome new patients and families often appreciate knowing that Dr. Matthew Savage, a board certified pediatric dentist, is the only dentist treating patients at our practice, so your child sees a familiar, consistent face at every appointment, including emergency ones.
Schedule a Consultation With Main Street Pediatric Dentistry of Belmont Today
A knocked out tooth is frightening, but it does not have to end badly. With calm handling in the first few minutes and prompt follow up care, many teeth can be saved or managed in a way that protects your child’s smile long term. Dr. Matthew Savage brings more than 20 years of experience as a board certified pediatric dentist to every emergency visit and our pediatric dental team works to keep kids comfortable even on their hardest days.
If your child has a dental emergency or you simply want a plan in place before one happens, please call our office.
