Every parent dreads that moment when their child comes running with tears streaming down their face, holding their mouth after a fall, sports accident, or unexpected encounter with a hard piece of candy. A chipped or broken tooth can turn an ordinary day into a stressful emergency, leaving you wondering whether you need to rush to the dentist immediately or if it can wait until morning.
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we understand how frightening it can be when your child experiences a dental injury. Portland pediatric dentists Dr. Tesha Waggoner and Dr. Audrey Mikkelson have helped countless families navigate these unexpected situations with calm, compassionate care. Our team is here to guide you through the immediate steps you should take and help you understand when a dental emergency requires urgent attention.
Immediate Steps to Take After Your Child’s Tooth Injury
The first few minutes after your child chips or breaks a tooth are crucial for both their comfort and the long-term health of their smile. Start by staying calm yourself, as children often mirror their parents’ emotional response to stressful situations. Gently examine your child’s mouth to assess the extent of the damage, looking for any obvious chips, cracks, or completely broken pieces.
If you can locate the broken tooth fragment, handle it carefully by the crown (the white part you usually see) rather than the root. The American Dental Association recommends always keeping a knocked-out tooth moist. If possible, place the tooth back into the socket without touching the root. If this is not possible, you can place it between your cheek and gums. For broken pieces, store them in milk, saline solution, or a tooth preservation kit until you can get to the dentist.
Clean any blood from your child’s face and mouth using a clean, damp cloth. Apply gentle pressure to control any bleeding, and use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling and numb the pain. If your child is experiencing significant pain, you may give them age-appropriate over-the-counter pain medication following the package directions.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Care
Some dental injuries require immediate attention, while others can be addressed during a regular appointment. You should contact an emergency pediatric dentist right away if your child has knocked out a permanent tooth completely, if there’s severe bleeding that won’t stop, or if they’re experiencing intense pain that doesn’t respond to pain medication.
Large chips or breaks that expose the pink pulp inside the tooth also constitute a dental emergency. This exposure can lead to infection and severe pain if not treated promptly. Additionally, if the injury has caused trauma to your child’s jaw, lips, or gums, or if they’re having difficulty eating, drinking, or speaking, you should seek immediate care.
For minor chips that don’t cause pain and aren’t sharp enough to cut the tongue or cheeks, you may be able to wait until the next business day to schedule an appointment. However, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and call your pediatric dentist for guidance about whether your child’s specific situation requires urgent care.
Managing Pain and Preventing Further Damage
While waiting for your dental appointment, focus on keeping your child comfortable and preventing additional injury to the damaged tooth. Encourage them to avoid chewing on the affected side of their mouth and stick to soft foods that won’t put pressure on the injured area.
Rinsing with warm salt water can help keep the area clean and reduce bacterial growth, but make sure your child doesn’t swallow the solution. If the broken tooth has created sharp edges that might cut their tongue or cheek, you can temporarily cover them with sugar-free gum or dental wax until you can see the dentist.
Monitor your child closely for signs of infection, such as increased swelling, fever, or pus around the affected tooth. These symptoms indicate that bacteria may have entered the tooth’s pulp, requiring immediate professional treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.
Treatment Options for Chipped and Broken Teeth
The treatment your child receives will depend on the severity of the break and whether it affects a baby tooth or a permanent tooth. For minor chips in baby teeth, we can smooth the rough edges to prevent cuts and monitor the tooth until it falls out naturally. More significant breaks may require a small filling to restore the tooth’s shape and protect it from further damage.
When permanent teeth are involved, we have several options to restore your child’s smile. Small chips can often be repaired with tooth-colored composite resin that matches the natural color of the tooth. Larger breaks may require a crown to provide strength and protection, while severe cases involving the tooth’s root may necessitate more extensive treatment to save the tooth.
Our goal is always to preserve your child’s natural teeth whenever possible while ensuring their comfort throughout the treatment process. We’ll explain all available options and work with you to choose the best approach for your child’s specific situation and long-term oral health.
Contact Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry for Expert Emergency Care
When your child experiences a dental injury, you need a team you can trust to provide gentle, effective care when it matters most. At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, our experienced pediatric dentists understand the unique needs of children and teens, creating a calming environment even during stressful emergencies. We maintain privileges at Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital for complex cases and have an on-call dentist available to assist with emergencies outside of regular business hours.Don’t let a chipped or broken tooth turn into a bigger problem for your child’s oral health. Our team is ready to help assess the situation, provide immediate relief from pain, and create a treatment plan that restores your child’s healthy, beautiful smile. Contact our office at (503) 292-9274 or visit our contact form to schedule an emergency appointment today.