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What to Do If Your Child Breaks a Tooth
If your child breaks a tooth, rinse their mouth gently with warm water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, use clean gauze on any bleeding, and call your dentist right away. Save any tooth fragment in milk, since it can sometimes be bonded back on. A knocked-out permanent tooth should be kept moist and re-implanted within about 30 minutes to an hour, but a knocked-out baby tooth is generally not put back, because doing so could damage the permanent tooth forming underneath.
Orion Dental Team
Led by Dr. Fahimay Naqvi
It happens fast — a stumble on the playground, a collision during a hockey game, or a fall off a bicycle. One moment everything is fine, the next your child is holding their mouth and crying. Dental injuries are one of the most common childhood injuries, and how you respond in the first few minutes can significantly affect the outcome.
At Orion Dental in Scarborough and Milton, we provide same-day emergency dental care for children and adults. This guide walks you through exactly what to do — step by step — if your child chips, cracks, or knocks out a tooth.
Common
childhood injury
30 min
critical window for knocked-out teeth
Sports
a frequent setting for dental injuries
Same day
emergency care at Orion Dental
Step 1: Stay Calm
This is the most important step — and often the hardest. Your child will be frightened, in pain, and looking to you for reassurance. Children read parental emotions closely, and if they see panic, they may feel that the situation is worse than it is, making them harder to help.
Speak in a calm, steady voice. Reassure your child that they are going to be okay and that you are going to help them. Dental injuries look frightening — mouths bleed heavily even from minor cuts — but most are very treatable when addressed promptly.
Step 2: Take Immediate Action
Immediate Response Steps
Rinse the Mouth
Gently rinse with warm water to clear blood and debris so you can see the injury clearly.
Control Bleeding
Apply clean gauze or a damp tea bag with gentle pressure for 10–15 minutes.
Reduce Swelling
Apply a cold compress (wrapped in cloth) to the outside of the cheek for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off.
Find Tooth Fragments
Search for any tooth pieces. Place them in milk or saliva — your dentist may be able to reattach them.
Step 3: Call Your Dentist Immediately
Even if the injury looks minor, always call your dentist. There may be damage below the surface that is not visible — cracks in the root, damage to the nerve, or injuries to the developing permanent teeth underneath. Early evaluation can prevent complications and save you more extensive (and expensive) treatment later.
Orion Dental offers emergency dental appointments with extended weekday hours and weekend availability at both our Scarborough and Milton locations.
Emergency Numbers
Scarborough: 416-291-0306
Milton: 905-636-9770
If a dental emergency occurs outside office hours, go to your nearest hospital emergency room.
Dental Emergency?
We offer same-day emergency appointments at both locations.
Chipped or Cracked Teeth: What to Expect
The treatment depends on the severity and location of the damage:
| Type of Damage | What It Looks Like | Typical Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Minor chip | Small piece of enamel missing, no pain | Smoothing or dental bonding |
| Moderate chip | Larger piece missing, possible sensitivity | Dental bonding or veneer |
| Cracked tooth | Visible crack line, pain when chewing | Crown or bonding depending on depth |
| Broken cusp | Piece of chewing surface broken off | Onlay or crown |
| Severe fracture | Tooth broken to or below the gum line | Root canal + crown, or extraction |
A tooth that darkens in colour weeks or months after an injury is a sign that the nerve inside the tooth has been damaged and has lost its blood supply. This requires evaluation by your children's dentist and may need a root canal or, in the case of baby teeth, extraction to protect the developing permanent tooth.
Knocked-Out Teeth: Baby vs. Permanent
Baby Teeth
A knocked-out baby tooth is generally not re-implanted. Attempting to push it back in could damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Your dentist will examine the area for gum injuries, check for any remaining tooth fragments, and monitor the space until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. A space maintainer may be recommended if the permanent tooth is not due for some time.
Permanent Teeth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. Time is critical — the goal is to get the tooth back into its socket within 30 minutes to 1 hour for the best chance of successful re-implantation.
Handling a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part) — never touch the root
- If dirty, rinse gently with milk or saline — do not scrub or use soap
- Try to place the tooth back in the socket if your child can hold it in place
- If re-insertion is not possible, store the tooth in milk, saliva, or saline solution
- Get to your dentist or hospital emergency room immediately — every minute counts
Preventing Dental Injuries in Children
While you cannot prevent every tumble, you can significantly reduce the risk of serious dental injuries with a few key precautions:
Custom Mouthguards
A custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist is made to your child's mouth and generally fits more closely than a store-bought option.
Face Cages for Hockey
Full face cages provide comprehensive protection from pucks, sticks, and falls — essential for young hockey players.
Supervise Active Play
Young children are most prone to dental injuries during unsupervised play. Keep an eye on climbing, running, and roughhousing.
Childproof Your Home
Pad sharp edges on furniture, use non-slip mats in bathrooms, and keep floors clear of tripping hazards.
Why Mouthguards Matter
Custom-fitted mouthguards are recommended for contact sports to help protect the teeth. Ask your dentist about custom mouthguards at your child's next checkup.
Be Prepared — Know What to Do Before It Happens
The best time to learn how to handle a dental emergency is beforeit happens. Keep your dentist's emergency contact number saved in your phone, have a small dental emergency kit at home (gauze, a cold pack, and a container for storing a tooth), and make sure babysitters and coaches know the basics too.
Need emergency dental care? Contact our Scarborough or Milton office. Book an appointment or call 416-291-0306 (Scarborough) / 905-636-9770 (Milton).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about children's dental injuries
What should I do first if my child breaks a tooth?
Stay calm — children pick up on parental anxiety. Rinse the child's mouth gently with warm water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and use clean gauze if there is bleeding. Then call your dentist immediately.
Should I try to save the broken tooth fragment?
Yes, if you can find it. Place the fragment in milk or a clean container with saliva. Your dentist may be able to bond it back onto the tooth. Bring it to your emergency appointment.
Can a knocked-out baby tooth be re-implanted?
Generally, no. Re-implanting a baby tooth could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Your dentist will examine the area for other injuries and monitor the space until the permanent tooth comes in.
How quickly do I need to see a dentist for a knocked-out permanent tooth?
Time is critical — ideally within 30 minutes to 1 hour. The sooner the tooth is re-implanted, the better the chance of saving it. Keep the tooth moist in milk, saliva, or saline solution and get to a dentist immediately.
What if a tooth turns dark after an injury?
A tooth that darkens weeks or months after an injury may indicate that the nerve (pulp) has been damaged and lost its blood supply. This requires dental evaluation and may need a root canal or extraction depending on whether it is a baby tooth or permanent tooth.
How can I prevent dental injuries in my child?
Custom-fitted mouthguards are recommended for children who play sports. Supervise young children during active play, childproof sharp edges in your home, and discourage running with objects in the mouth.
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