Chipped Tooth in a Child: What to Do (First Aid)

Dental trauma in children is common. Falls, sports and play can chip or break a tooth. Actions taken in the first 30–60 minutes directly affect the outcome.

First 5 minutes

1. Stay calm. If the parent isn't scared, the child fears less.
2. Gently rinse the mouth with water — clean off blood and dirt.
3. Find the fragment. Store in milk, saliva or saline (NOT plain water).
4. Cold compress on the cheek for swelling.
5. Over-the-counter children painkiller (paracetamol) — age-appropriate dose.

If a baby tooth is knocked out

DO NOT re-insert a baby tooth! — it can damage the permanent tooth bud. Just save it and see the dentist within 1–2 hours.

If a permanent tooth is fully knocked out (avulsion)

1. Hold the tooth only by the crown, not the root
2. If dirty — rinse under cold water for 10 seconds (do not scrub!)
3. If possible — put it back in the socket and hold with gauze
4. If not — store in milk
5. See a dentist within 30 minutes — best chance to save the tooth

Small chip (no pain)

• Save the fragment (in milk)
• Scheduled check-up within 1–2 days
• Usually — composite restoration in one visit

Large fracture (red spot visible)

A pulp-reaching fracture is an emergency. See a dentist within 24 hours. Usually — pulp treatment + crown restoration.

What NOT to do

• Do not throw away the fragment — sometimes it can be re-bonded
• Do not give aspirin (risk of Reye syndrome)
• Do not rinse with hot water — increases bleeding
• Do not brush the broken tooth

Care afterwards

• Soft food for a week
• Don't chew on the injured side
• Gentle brushing with a soft brush
• Follow-up visits (usually at 1 and 3 months)

Prevention

For children who play sports — a mouthguard. Especially for boxing, hockey, football, skateboarding. Custom-made is better than off-the-shelf.

Read more

• Broken tooth — first aid
• Child's first dental visit

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