When a Child Falls and Hits a Tooth
Check for a wider injury first, contact a dentist promptly, and remember that a knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back.
Look beyond the tooth
After a fall or collision, first consider whether the child may have a head, neck or facial injury. Loss of consciousness, breathing difficulty, serious trauma or bleeding that will not stop needs emergency medical attention. Dental damage may be only one part of the injury.[1]
Contact a dentist promptly about a broken, displaced or knocked-out tooth. Explain the child's age, when and how it happened, and whether the tooth was likely a baby or adult tooth. If you are unsure, say so. Do not reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.[1]
Bring a clear account
Keep any tooth or fragment you find and ask the dental team how to transport it. Tell them if the child cannot close their mouth normally or if a tooth seems to be in a different position. Avoid repeatedly wiggling it to check.
Ask for written follow-up instructions after assessment, including what to watch for and when to return. A child who seems comfortable again may still need review of the injured tooth. Note which tooth was involved so a later colour or position change is easier to describe.