When the Tooth Hits the Floor: What to Do in a Pediatric Dental Emergency

Posted on June 9, 2025

No one plans for a dental emergency. One minute your kid’s grinning from the top of the slide, the next they’re holding their mouth, crying, and you’re trying to remember whether you’re supposed to find a dentist or just offer a popsicle.

It’s unsettling, to say the least. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to panic. Like any unexpected event, a dental emergency gets easier to handle when you know what to look forand what to do.

You won’t need to memorize a dozen technical terms or rush out to buy fancy supplies. Most of the time, a clear head and a few basic steps are all it takes to protect your child’s teeth and get them the care they need.

Let’s walk through it.

First, What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Some mouth injuries are dramatic but harmless while others look small but carry bigger risks. Here are a few of the most common emergencies where a call to your pediatric dentist is the right move:

• Knocked-out tooth (baby or permanent)
• Chipped or broken tooth
• Tooth pushed out of alignment
• Severe toothache
• Cut or bitten tongue, cheek, or lip
• Swelling or signs of infection in the mouth or face

If there’s bleeding that won’t stop, a tooth that’s out of its socket, or swelling that seems to be spreading, treat it as urgent. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s worth getting checked out.

What to Do in the Moment

Here’s how you handle the most common situations:

If a permanent tooth gets knocked out:

This one’s time-sensitive. The sooner you act, the better the chances of saving the tooth.

• Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the top part), not the root.
• Rinse it gently with milk or saline; never scrub or use soap.
• Try to reinsert it into the socket if your child is old enough and cooperative.
• If you can’t reinsert it, place the tooth in milk or tuck it between your child’s cheek and gums (if they’re old enough not to swallow it).
• Call your pediatric dentist immediately.

If a baby tooth gets knocked out:

Don’t try to put it back. Call Nevada Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry immediately. We’ll let you know if your child needs to be seen, but baby teeth aren’t typically replanted.

If a tooth chips or breaks:

Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water. Save any tooth fragments. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and call your dentist. Even a small chip can expose the inner layers of a tooth.

If there’s bleeding:

Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze. Mouth injuries can bleed more than you’d expect, but they often stop with a little pressure and patience.

If your child has a severe toothache:

Check for food stuck between the teeth and have them rinse with warm salt water. Don’t place aspirin directly on the gums because it can burn the tissue. Call your dentist for next steps.

Stay Calm and Set a Good Example

In moments like these, your calm is as powerful as any bandage. Your child will take their cues from you. You don’t need to pretend everything’s fine butshowing them you know what to do goes a long way.

And if you’re unsure? Just call. Our team is ready for these situations. They’ve seen everything from playground tumbles to popcorn-kernel crises. You’re not bothering anyone by asking questions.

Preparation Makes the Difference

You don’t need to live in fear of dental accidents, but a little readiness can go a long way. Have a few emergency supplies on hand and keep our number saved in your phone.

Because when something does go wrong, and your kid’s looking up at you in pain or panic, what you do next will show them that in a messy, unpredictable world, they can count on you to meet the moment.