Accidents can happen when children are playing, exploring, or participating in sports, and sometimes those accidents involve their teeth. And, as everyone knows, whether it's a chipped, cracked, fractured, or knocked-out tooth, a dental emergency can feel overwhelming for kids and their parents. At Lighthouse Kids Dental, we understand and are well-equipped to get your child back on the road to oral health.
Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a vital role in your child's ability to chew, speak, and maintain space for the erupting permanent teeth. For all these reasons, it’s essential to address any injuries or damage they sustain.
Treating a chip, crack, or fracture in a baby tooth depends on the extent of the damage Our office may recommend smoothing a sharp edge, repairing the tooth with a restoration, or closely monitoring it to avoid an infection.
In cases where a baby tooth gets knocked out, unlike a permanent tooth, we will not re-implant it. However, we will evaluate the area to support healing and recommend what's needed to maintain the space for the baby tooth's permanent successor.
When a permanent tooth is chipped, cracked, fractured, dislodged, or even knocked out, it's essential to contact our office for care. While a chipped or cracked tooth may require minor cosmetic recontouring or restorative procedures, such as bonding or a filling, to restore its function and appearance, a more extensive fracture may necessitate a restorative procedure, like a crown, that provides more comprehensive coverage.
In some cases, for a permanent tooth with more significant damage, a root canal procedure followed by a suitable restoration might be required.
When a permanent tooth gets knocked out or dislodged from its socket, it's considered a true dental emergency. The sooner we see your child, the better the chances we have of saving the tooth. With prompt treatment, a dislodged or avulsed tooth can often be reinserted into the socket, stabilized, and saved.
Keep in mind that it's essential to handle a knocked-out tooth carefully to avoid further damage. To keep the tooth moist, it can get placed in milk or stored between the gums and cheek. If you're concerned that your child cannot safely maintain the avulsed tooth between the cheek and gums, have them spit some saliva into a cup to maintain the tooth for the short time it takes to get care.
Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown, not the root, to avoid damaging the delicate fibers needed for reattachment. Rinse the tooth gently with milk or saline if it is dirty; do not scrub, use soap or dry the tooth. If the tooth is a permanent tooth and your child can tolerate it, try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and have the child bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
If reinsertion is not possible, transport the tooth in a container of milk or your child's saliva and seek immediate dental care because timing is critical for saving an avulsed permanent tooth. Handle the situation calmly and call Lighthouse Kids Dental or the appropriate emergency number right away so we can prepare to evaluate and treat your child. Quick action dramatically improves the likelihood of successful reimplantation and long-term tooth survival.
In many cases, we do not reimplant knocked-out baby teeth because doing so can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Treatment focuses on protecting the child from infection, preserving function, and maintaining space for the erupting permanent tooth. Depending on the injury, options can include smoothing sharp edges, placing a restoration to repair a chip, or close observation to ensure healing.
If a baby tooth is severely damaged or poses a risk to the child's health, extraction may be recommended and followed by space management strategies such as a space maintainer. Your pediatric dentist will discuss the best approach based on the child’s age, the tooth’s position, and the stage of development of the permanent successor. Regular follow-up exams and X-rays help us monitor healing and growth after any trauma to baby teeth.
Treatment for chips and minor fractures depends on the size and location of the damage as well as whether the pulp (nerve) is involved. Small cosmetic chips can often be smoothed or repaired with dental bonding, while larger fractures may require a filling or crown to restore strength and appearance. We use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to preserve healthy tooth structure and maintain function.
If the fracture extends into the pulp or causes persistent pain, endodontic treatment such as a root canal may be necessary before placing a definitive restoration. Prompt evaluation helps us determine the least invasive and most effective treatment to prevent infection and further deterioration. Follow-up X-rays and exams will ensure the tooth remains healthy after repair.
A tooth that is luxated (partially dislodged) or fractured close to the root requires careful evaluation because the injury may affect the tooth’s blood supply and nerve. Treatment often includes repositioning the tooth, stabilizing it with a flexible splint for a few weeks, and monitoring the tooth’s vitality with periodic exams and X-rays. The goal is to allow healing of the surrounding tissues while preserving the tooth whenever possible.
In some cases, the pulp may become compromised and require root canal therapy either immediately or after a period of observation. Your pediatric dentist will develop a tailored treatment and follow-up plan that balances conservative care with timely intervention to protect long-term tooth health. Consistent monitoring is important because signs of pulp injury can appear weeks to months after the initial trauma.
If a permanent tooth is avulsed and cannot be reinserted, the best short-term storage mediums are cold milk or a specialized tooth preservation solution if available. Placing the tooth between the child’s cheek and gum is also acceptable if the child is old enough to avoid swallowing or choking, since saliva helps keep the root cells viable. Do not scrub the tooth or place it in plain water because that can damage the periodontal ligament cells needed for successful reimplantation.
Keep the tooth moist and transport it to the dental office immediately, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes for the best prognosis. Bring the tooth in a sealed container with milk or saliva and call ahead so the care team can be ready. Quick and careful handling is one of the most important factors in saving an avulsed permanent tooth.
You should seek emergency dental care right away if a child has a knocked-out permanent tooth, severe bleeding that won't stop, significant swelling, signs of infection such as fever, or a tooth that is visibly displaced or causing intense pain. These situations require prompt evaluation to reduce the risk of permanent damage or systemic infection. Even if the injury appears minor, rapid consultation can help prevent complications and guide appropriate home care until an appointment.
Less urgent injuries, such as small chips without pain or minor soft tissue injuries, may be managed with a timely appointment within a few days, but you should still contact your dental office for guidance. If you need immediate assistance or have questions after hours, you can reach Lighthouse Kids Dental at New Patients: (443) 252-3464 or Existing Patients: (443) 214-2434 to determine the best next steps. When in doubt, err on the side of seeking prompt professional care.
A root canal is sometimes necessary when trauma has exposed or severely inflamed the dental pulp of a permanent tooth, but not every injured tooth will require one. The need for endodontic treatment depends on the extent of the injury, radiographic findings, and clinical signs such as persistent pain, swelling, or a nonvital (dead) pulp on testing. In younger patients, the pulp may have greater healing capacity, so we often monitor the tooth closely before deciding on a root canal.
If a root canal is indicated, the procedure removes the damaged pulp, disinfects the canal system, and allows the tooth to be restored to function with a filling or crown. Timely treatment can prevent infection and preserve the tooth for long-term use. Your pediatric dentist will explain the rationale, the expected timeline, and follow-up care to protect your child’s oral health.
Managing swelling and potential infection begins with a thorough clinical exam and appropriate imaging to determine the source and extent of the problem. If an infection is present or likely, your pediatric dentist may prescribe antibiotics and recommend warm compresses, oral hygiene measures, and close monitoring to reduce swelling and control the spread of infection. In some cases drainage or definitive treatment of the injured tooth is required to resolve the issue.
Severe swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever, or rapidly progressing infection requires immediate medical attention and possible emergency department referral. For localized dental infections, prompt dental treatment and follow-up usually resolve symptoms and prevent complications. Your dental team will provide clear home-care instructions and schedule timely reassessment until the condition stabilizes.
Yes, dental trauma can affect developing permanent teeth when injuries occur to baby teeth or to the jaw area before permanent teeth fully form. Damage to the tooth germ, disruption of blood supply, or infection associated with an injured primary tooth can lead to discoloration, enamel defects, or altered root development in the permanent successor. The extent of long-term effects depends on the type, force and timing of the injury relative to the stage of tooth development.
Because of these risks, ongoing monitoring after dental trauma is essential; periodic exams and X-rays help detect developmental changes early so they can be managed appropriately. Early intervention by a pediatric dentist or specialist can minimize cosmetic and functional issues and support healthy tooth development. Families should keep regular follow-up appointments and report any changes in appearance or sensation promptly.
Prevention strategies include encouraging the use of properly fitted mouthguards for contact sports, using helmets and face protection when appropriate, and supervising young children during play that could lead to falls. At home, childproofing areas where falls are likely and avoiding hard or chewy foods for young children can reduce the risk of tooth trauma. Teaching safe play behaviors and age-appropriate rules also helps lower injury risk.
For active children, consider custom-fit sports mouthguards from your pediatric dental office because they provide superior protection compared with store-bought options. Regular dental checkups allow us to assess any risk factors such as protruding front teeth and recommend protective measures tailored to your child. Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of dental injuries.
