Children’s dental emergencies can range from knocked-out baby teeth to painful bites and facial injuries. Acting quickly and confidently in the first few minutes can make all the difference to your child’s oral health and comfort. This guide covers what to do in common paediatric dental emergencies, how to perform first aid at home, when to seek urgent care, and essential prevention tips all in clear, bite-sized answers. We’ll also touch on what Australian parents should expect at Family Dental Care, including public-system support and insurance factors.
Why Understanding Children’s Dental Emergencies Matters
Knowing what to do in a dental emergency helps:
- Reduce pain and prevent complications like infection or damage to permanent teeth.
- Improve the chance of saving knocked-out or broken teeth.
- Provide peace of mind in stressful situations.
- Deliver fast, effective action that supports healing.
We’ll walk through at-home first aid, key signs to watch, when to see a dentist or head to emergency, and how to prevent these issues in the first place.
Typical Children’s Dental Emergencies & What to Do
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Permanent Teeth
If your child knocks out a permanent tooth:
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (top), not the root.
- Rinse gently with clean water; don’t scrub.
- Try to reinsert it immediately by pushing into the socket gently.
- If reinsertion isn’t possible, place it in cold milk or their own saliva (e.g., inside the cheek).
- Go straight to the dentist within 30 minutes is ideal.
- Time out of the socket critically affects the survival of the tooth.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Baby Teeth
For baby (primary) teeth, don’t reinsert this may damage the developing permanent tooth. Gull the tooth, and see a dentist for assessment to rule out injury.
Cracked or Broken Teeth (Baby or Permanent)
- Rinse the mouth with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress for swelling.
- Save any broken piece and bring it to the clinic.
- Contact your dentist immediately, even if your child isn’t in pain.
Toothache or Infection
- Rinse with warm salt water to clean the area.
- Use mild over-the-counter pain relief if appropriate.
- Call your dentist for an appointment within 24 hours.
Soft Tissue Injuries (Lip, Tongue, Gums)
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to stop bleeding.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- If bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes or deep cuts are present, seek urgent dental or medical review.
Overview Table: Quick-Response Guide
| Emergency Type | Immediate Home Care Steps | Urgency Level |
| Knocked-out permanent | Rinse → reinsert or store in milk/saliva → urgent visit | Critical – within 30 min |
| Knocked-out baby tooth | Find and clean → consult dentist for assessment | Moderate – same day |
| Cracked/broken tooth | Rinse mouth → cold compress → see dentist | Urgent – within hours |
| Toothache/infection | Rinse with salt water → pain relief → urgent care | Urgent – within 24 hrs |
| Soft tissue injury | Apply pressure → cold compress → seek help if severe | Immediate if bleeding |
When to Go to the Hospital vs the Dentist
In most dental emergencies, your dentist is the first point of contact. A hospital ER may be needed if:
- There’s facial fractures, jaw injuries, or trouble breathing/swallowing.
- A general dental clinic is closed or unavailable.
Hospitals can stabilise serious injuries before you get to dental specialists. Dentists will guide your next steps based on the situation.
Quick Answers for Busy Parents
1. What do I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Rinse gently, try to reinsert it or store in milk, and head to the dentist ASAP (within 30 minutes).
2. Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back?
No, never reinsert baby teeth.
3. What can I use for tooth pain or infection?
Try warm salt water rinses and child-safe pain relief, and visit the dentist that day.
4. When is a dental emergency an ER visit?
If there is a broken jaw, deep facial trauma, or breathing difficulties.
5. How can I protect my child before emergencies happen?
Use mouthguards in sports, supervise active play, encourage safe habits, and keep regular dental checks.
Prevention & Preparedness
- Mouthguards: Ensure they’re worn during contact sports and fit properly.
- Safe play: Encourage child-safe roughhousing and use protective equipment (helmets, gear).
- Dentist home base: Keep your child’s dentist phone on speed dial, and store small sealable containers with milk or saline in your first-aid kit.
- Insurance & public care: Many private health funds offer covers for emergencies; children may access urgent public care through programs like Smile Squad in Victoria.
Aussie Resources at a Glance
- Family Dental Care Credentials: Our clinic team includes fully accredited dentists and paediatric specialists experienced in treating emergencies and trauma. We maintain national infection-control standards, ensuring safe, evidence-based care.
FAQ
- Can a knocked-out tooth be fixed?
Yes,if a permanent tooth is replanted quickly (within 30 minutes), the chances of saving it are high. - What do I do if the tooth breaks but doesn’t fall out?
Keep mouth clean, avoid touching the area, and see your dentist soon to repair it. - Can a baby tooth injury affect adult teeth?
Yes,damage below the gum line or in the root can affect the developing permanent tooth below. Always seek evaluation. - How do I stop my child from panicking during an emergency?
Stay calm, explain what you’re doing in simple words, involve them with small tasks (holding gauze), and reassure them they’re safe.
Is emergency dental care expensive?
Costs vary. Many private insurances cover emergency care, and some public services offer free urgent treatment to eligible children.