Dental Trauma in Children: What Parents Need to Know

A bumped mouth, a chipped tooth, or a fall at the playground – if you’re a parent, chances are you’ll witness at least one dental emergency in your child’s early years. Kids are full of energy and curiosity, which is wonderful, but it also makes them more likely to run into the occasional accident.

When it comes to dental trauma in children, staying calm and knowing what to do can make a huge difference. Whether it’s a wobbly tooth after a fall or a completely knocked-out one, early action can often save the tooth and prevent future complications.

At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist, we regularly treat children for dental trauma, day and night. This guide is here to help you feel informed, reassured, and ready if you ever need to deal with a dental emergency involving your child.

Understanding Dental Trauma in Children

Dental trauma refers to any injury to the teeth, gums, or surrounding soft tissue, such as the lips, tongue, or inside of the cheeks. In children, trauma is usually caused by:

• Falls (especially when learning to walk or playing)
• Accidents during sports
• Bike or scooter injuries
• Collisions during rough play
• Biting down on something too hard

These injuries can happen to baby (primary) teeth or permanent teeth, and both can be serious depending on the impact and location of the trauma.

Common Types of Dental Injuries in Children

Chipped or Fractured Tooth: One of the most common injuries. Part of the tooth breaks off, usually at the edge.

Baby tooth: Often not treated unless it causes pain.

Permanent tooth: Needs to be checked and possibly restored with bonding or a filling.

Displaced (Loose or Shifted) Tooth: The tooth may become loose, pushed sideways, or deeper into the socket. This can cause pain, bleeding, and long-term damage if left untreated. It’s important to seek immediate care, especially for permanent teeth.

Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth): The entire tooth comes out of the socket. If it’s a baby tooth, do not try to reinsert it. This can harm the developing adult tooth underneath. If it’s a permanent tooth, time is critical. Reimplantation within 30-60 minutes offers the best chance of saving it.

Tooth Intrusion (Pushed into the Gums): The tooth is pushed up into the gum or jawbone. This can damage both the tooth and surrounding bone. Always needs a dentist’s evaluation.

Soft Tissue Injuries: Cuts or bruises to the lips, gums, or tongue can bleed a lot, even if they’re minor. Apply pressure with clean gauze. Rinse gently with water. Book an appointment to see us if the cut is deep or bleeding doesn’t stop.

What to Do Immediately After the Injury

As a parent, the first step is to stay calm. Your child will look to you for reassurance. Here’s what you should do, depending on the injury:

If a Tooth is Knocked Out (Permanent Tooth)

• Find the tooth, if possible.
• Hold it by the crown (the chewing part), not the root.
• Rinse gently with water if dirty (do not scrub).
• Try to place it back in the socket gently. If that’s not possible, store it in milk, saline solution, or your child’s saliva.
• Get to one of our emergency dental clinics immediately.

If a Baby Tooth is Knocked Out

• Do not try to put it back. This can damage the adult tooth underneath.
• Still seek dental care to make sure everything else is okay.
• If There’s Bleeding:
  • Use clean gauze or a soft cloth to apply gentle pressure.
  • Have your child bite down if the bleeding is from the gum or tooth area.
  • If bleeding continues after 10 minutes, get emergency care.

If a Tooth is Chipped or Loose

• Rinse the mouth with warm water.
• Avoid chewing on that side.
• Save any broken pieces if found.
• Call us as soon as possible, even small chips can lead to bigger problems later.

When Should You See Us At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist?

• You should never wait if your child:
• Has a knocked-out permanent tooth
• Has a cracked or deeply fractured tooth
• Complains of severe tooth pain
• Has swelling, bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, bad breath, pus)
• Has an injury that affects speech, eating, or appearance
• Is in distress or discomfort after trauma

Even if you’re not sure how serious it is, it’s always better to let a professional check. Some issues, like root damage or infection, can’t be seen without an X-ray or scan.

At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist, we have in-house scanning and can perform a full diagnosis right away, even in the middle of the night.

Why Early Treatment Is So Important

In children, dental structures are still developing. Early treatment is essential for:

• Preventing long-term damage to permanent teeth
• Supporting proper speech and chewing function
• Keeping confidence high, especially for older children and teens
• Avoiding infection or complications

Some parents worry about treating baby teeth, thinking, “They’re going to fall out anyway.” But even baby teeth play an important role in:

• Holding space for adult teeth
• Helping with pronunciation
• Building healthy habits

If a baby tooth is lost or damaged too early, it can lead to misalignment or delayed eruption of permanent teeth.

How We Treat Dental Trauma in Children

Our clinics are fully equipped to handle all types of dental trauma in children, with a gentle and understanding approach.

We offer:

• Emergency assessment and pain relief
• Treatment for cracked or knocked-out teeth
• Reimplantation of permanent teeth
• Crowns, bonding, or fillings if needed
• Referral to paediatric dental specialists when appropriate

Our team is experienced with working with children of all ages – and we always aim to make the experience as calm and reassuring as possible.

Why Choose Us At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist for Your Child’s Dental Trauma?

Here’s what makes our clinic a trusted choice for emergency dental care:

• We’re open 24/7 – no need to wait for Monday morning
• We accept walk-in patients – no long delays
• Our clinics are easy to reach, located at Baker Street and Liverpool Street, with access to major Underground lines
• We offer in-house scanning and diagnostics
• Our team includes dentists with experience in children’s dental trauma
• We treat the issue on the first visit whenever possible – not just a consultation

Final Thought for Parents

No parent ever wants to see their child in pain, but being prepared helps. If your child experiences a dental injury, don’t panic. Take action, and get professional help as soon as you can.

At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist, we’re here for your family day or night, ready to provide expert care, relief, and reassurance when you need it most.

If something doesn’t look or feel right with your child’s teeth, don’t wait and wonder. We’re just a phone call away.