About half of all children experience a dental injury before they become adults. It can get a little crazy when they're playing or running, and as a parent it's good to know what to do if your child hits their mouth or teeth.
If you are unsure what to do, it is always a good idea to call the emergency hotline in the Capital Region of Denmark on 1813.
Some dental injuries can wait a day or two before being seen by a dentist, while other injuries require very quick treatment - within an hour or an hour and a half.
Shortcut to dental damage:
Damage to milk teeth
When a baby tooth is damaged, the dentist may not be able to do anything about it, as baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth.
However, damage to baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth. Milk teeth "hold" the space for the next set of teeth, so a knocked-out or damaged tooth can affect the long-term alignment of the teeth. So pay attention to your child's teeth in the time after a blow to the mouth.
Requires no dental appointment
- Slight bleeding from the gums.
- Loose teeth (does not apply if it hurts or the tooth is oddly positioned).
Book a dental appointment tomorrow
- Loose teeth that hurt.
- If the tooth becomes discolored (even long after the impact).
- If a baby tooth is knocked out completely - it can't be put back in place anyway.
- If tooth pain occurs in the days following an impact.
Requires emergency treatment
- If one or more baby teeth are broken in the jaw.
- If one or more teeth are broken but not knocked out.
- If a tooth is badly crooked and causing pain.
- If the gums or lips are punctured in a way that requires stitches.
- If the tongue has been bitten so deeply that it requires stitches.
Remember: Always call your dentist or emergency service if you are in any doubt.
Damage to permanent teeth
If your child suffers damage to their permanent teeth, it's important to react quickly. This is especially true if one of the permanent teeth is knocked out. The tooth must not be allowed to dry out and should either be kept under the tongue in the child's mouth or in a glass of milk - preferably in the mouth. The tooth should be fixed by a dentist within an hour to an hour and a half.
Requires no dental appointment
- Slight bleeding from the gums.
- A slight looseness in the tooth - provided there is no pain.
Book a dental appointment tomorrow
- If a chip or small piece of the tooth is broken.
- Loose teeth that hurt.
- If a tooth is crooked.
- If the tooth becomes discolored after impact/injury (even long after).
- If tooth pain occurs in the days following an impact.
Requires emergency treatment
- If one or more permanent teeth are knocked completely out of your mouth (remember to store them in your mouth or in milk).
- If one or more of the permanent teeth has been knocked open in the jaw.
- If one or more teeth are broken but not knocked out.
- If a tooth is badly crooked and causing pain.
- If the gums or lips are punctured in a way that requires stitches.
- If the tongue has been bitten so deeply that it requires stitches.
Remember: Always call your dentist or emergency service if you are in any doubt.
Our skilled dentists at Tandliv can guide you through both new and old dental injuries in your child. Contact us today.
FAQ - Dental injuries in children
Which dental injuries in children require emergency treatment?
Some dental injuries in children require emergency treatment, such as tooth fracture, where the tooth is broken, avulsion, where an entire tooth is knocked out, luxation, where the tooth is displaced or loosened, and soft tissue injuries such as lips, cheeks and tongue. Prompt treatment is important to increase the chance of preserving the tooth and avoiding complications.
Who should I call for dental injuries in children?
If you have any doubts about your child's dental injury, it's important that you call your dentist or emergency service.
Which dental injuries do not require a visit to the dentist?
If your child experiences slight bleeding from the gums or has loose teeth, it is not necessary to contact the dentist. However, you should contact the dentist if a crooked tooth results in severe pain in your child.
