Emergency Tips for Chipped or Knocked-Out Teeth

Delta Dental Plans Association (Delta Dental) encourages parents to learn the necessary emergency tips for chipped or knocked-out teeth.

A list of phone numbers for the family dentist and other sources helpful in dental emergencies should be drafted and posted in an obvious place, such as on the refrigerator, in case a dental emergency occurs. "Often when you are dealing with a dental emergency, as in any medical emergency, time is of the essence," says Robert Dennison, DMD, Chairperson, Dental Policy, Delta Dental.

"What is most important to remember when dealing with a chipped or knocked-out tooth is the timing – following the initial impact, the tooth begins to slowly die within 15 to 30 minutes," says Dennison. "Seeking immediate dental care is strongly advisable in any emergency."

A chipped tooth is the most common, and most easily treatable, dental injury. In order to save your child’s teeth, there are some precautions and tips to keep in mind when faced with chipped or broken/knocked-out teeth:

• Find all parts of the chipped tooth and remember to handle the tooth by the top, not the root

• Do not clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily

• Do insert the tooth into the socket, if possible. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in a cup of milk or water

• See the dentist immediately

For children who have broken braces sticking out, cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue, do not remove it. Instead, leave the broken pieces to be fixed by a dentist.

Most types of tooth injuries are characterized by the damage done to the two primary tissue structures: the hard tissue of the tooth and the soft tissue, or pulp, located inside the tooth.

Often when a child receives a blow to the mouth, he/she does not suffer from any visible tooth damage, but still may have damage to the soft tissue inside the tooth. In such cases, a tooth may begin to turn pink and then slowly turn gray. In this case, usually a root canal procedure is required.

"Someone receiving a blow to a tooth, regardless of the situation, should contact the dentist right away," Dennison stresses. "The dentist can then determine what course of action to take. Overall, the long-term prognosis for many patients is determined by the type of injury to the tooth and how much time elapses before a patient receives treatment," says Dennison.

Children are exposed to all sorts of mishaps that may cause tooth injuries. When it comes to sports, tooth injuries should be prevented with the protection provided by mouth guards. Custom-made mouth guards made by dentists can offer better security than the standard mouth guards sold at stores.