What to Do If Your Child Knocks a Tooth Loose
When a child knocks a tooth loose, it’s stressful for everyone. Quick, calm action can reduce pain, prevent further injury, and help your child feel safe. Use this guide for immediate steps, how to assess the injury, and how to care for a loose tooth until you can see a dentist. If you’re searching for what to do if your child knocks a tooth loose, the guidance below covers the critical first minutes and how to manage care at home.
Stay Calm and Comfort Your Child
Your response matters. Children often reflect a parent’s emotions, so speak gently, stay composed, and reassure them that you’ll handle the situation together. Take a slow breath, make eye contact, and let them know they’re safe.
Check for other injuries and help your child sit upright. If there’s minor bleeding, have them bite on clean gauze or a damp cloth for 10 to 15 minutes. Apply a cool compress to the lip or cheek to reduce swelling. Praise their bravery and keep explanations simple and positive, such as, “Your tooth is a little wiggly. We’ll be gentle, and a dentist will help it feel better.” If you need a quick reminder of what to do if your child knocks a tooth loose, start with calm reassurance and gentle pressure to control bleeding.
Assess the Severity of the Injury
Identify signs that need urgent care:
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure
- Deep cuts to the gums or lips
- Severe pain or a tooth pushed far out of position
- Cracked or broken tooth with sharp edges
- Head injury symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, or loss of consciousness
If any of these occur, seek medical attention right away.
Determine whether the tooth is loose or completely knocked out. If the tooth is still in the socket but wiggly, note its position and whether biting causes pain. If the tooth is fully out, look on the ground and in your child’s mouth to confirm it wasn’t swallowed. Ask your child to avoid chewing on that side.
Call a dentist promptly for any loose permanent tooth, a baby tooth that is very mobile, visible displacement, persistent pain, or bleeding. A knocked-out permanent tooth is an emergency. Baby teeth are not reinserted, but an exam is important to check the gums and supporting bone. This is a key part of what to do if your child knocks a tooth loose: evaluate symptoms, then contact a dentist to guide next steps.
Care for the Loose Tooth
Clean the area gently. Have your child rinse with lukewarm water or a saline solution (½ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water). If there’s minor bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze. Avoid scrubbing the gums or using alcohol-based mouthwash.
Manage discomfort with age-appropriate acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following dosing instructions. Use a cold compress on the cheek in 10-minute intervals to reduce swelling. Offer soft foods, yogurt, applesauce, pasta, smoothies, and encourage chewing on the opposite side.
Do not wiggle, pull, or try to reposition the tooth at home. Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, do not scrub it or touch the root. If it’s dirty, gently rinse with water. If you can, place it back into the socket and have your child hold it in place while you call the dentist. If reinsertion isn’t possible, keep the tooth moist in cold milk and seek immediate care.
Continue gentle oral hygiene. Brush nearby teeth with a soft-bristled brush, avoiding direct pressure on the loose tooth. Rinse after meals and keep your child hydrated. Schedule a prompt dental visit to assess the tooth, gums, and jaw. The dentist may recommend monitoring, splinting the tooth, or additional treatment depending on the injury.
When to Seek Emergency Care vs. Routine Follow-Up
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Knocked-out permanent tooth | Emergency, call your dentist immediately; keep tooth moist or reinsert if possible |
| Heavy bleeding, severe pain, head injury signs | Emergency, seek medical care right away |
| Loose baby tooth without severe pain | Call pediatric dentist for evaluation |
| Tooth visibly displaced or trouble biting | Urgent dental visit recommended |
Prevention Tips
- Use age-appropriate mouthguards for sports and activities.
- Childproof play areas and secure rugs to prevent falls.
- Encourage safe play and avoid running with objects in the mouth.
- Maintain regular dental checkups to monitor tooth and jaw development.
We’re Here to Help
If your child has a loose or injured tooth, contact your pediatric dentist promptly. Timely care can protect the tooth and support healthy healing. If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, call for guidance, we’ll help you decide the safest next step. For parents wondering what to do if your child knocks a tooth loose, remember: stay calm, control bleeding, avoid moving the tooth, and call a dentist for advice and treatment.
