What to do if your child breaks a tooth

A knocked or broken tooth is one of the more frightening moments for a parent, and how you respond in the first hour matters. Here is what helps.

First steps

• Stay calm and comfort your child; check for other injuries.
• Find any broken pieces or the knocked-out tooth and keep them.
• For a knocked-out adult tooth, hold it by the crown, not the root, and keep it in milk or the child's saliva. Do not scrub it.
• Call us straight away so we can advise and see you.

Is it an emergency?

A knocked-out adult tooth is time-sensitive, so treat it as urgent. A small chip to a baby tooth is usually less urgent but still worth a check. When in doubt, call and we will guide you.

How we help children

Our paediatric dentist keeps the first visit gentle and unhurried, and parents tell us their children feel at ease. The aim is to fix the problem and keep your child comfortable, not to rush.

Sources

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• International Association of Dental Traumatology