Chipped Tooth? Here’s What to Do
Kids are curious and active—little slips and bumps happen. If your child chips a tooth, take a breath. Most chips are fixable, and our pediatric team helps families through this every day.
Immediate steps
- Check for red flags: If there’s heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room first.
- Rinse gently: Have your child swish with lukewarm water to clear away any debris.
- Control bleeding: Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a soft cloth for about 10 minutes.
- Reduce swelling: Hold a cold compress on the cheek near the injured area.
- Save any tooth fragment: If you find a piece, place it in milk, saliva, or saline and bring it with you. Sometimes it can be bonded back.
- Ease discomfort: Offer age-appropriate acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by your pediatrician. Do not give aspirin to children.
- Protect the area: Avoid biting on the injured tooth; choose soft, cool foods and water.
When to call the pediatric dentist
Please contact us as soon as you can—even small chips should be evaluated. Reach out right away if you notice:
- A large chip, a broken tooth, or a sharp edge that’s cutting the lip or cheek
- Sensitivity to hot or cold, pain with chewing, or your child avoiding the tooth
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of gentle pressure
- A tooth that feels loose, looks pushed in or out, or seems out of position
- Swelling of the gums or face, or a change in tooth color (gray or brown)
If the injury happens after hours and the tooth is knocked out or displaced, seek emergency dental care or visit the nearest emergency room.
What to expect at the visit
- A gentle exam and, if needed, low-dose X-rays to check for cracks, root injury, or damage to nearby teeth
- Calming, kid-centered care to keep your child comfortable
- A simple plan to restore your child’s smile and protect the tooth
How we treat chipped teeth
Treatment depends on your child’s age, which tooth is involved (baby or permanent), and how deep the chip is.
- Minor chip or rough edge: Smooth and polish to remove sharpness
- Enamel or dentin chip: Tooth-colored bonding or a small filling to restore shape and comfort
- Larger fracture: A durable crown (stainless steel or zirconia for baby molars; tooth-colored options for permanent teeth or front teeth)
- Pulp exposure or deep pain: Pulp therapy for baby teeth or root canal treatment for permanent teeth to relieve pain and save the tooth
- Tooth not restorable: Careful removal with guidance on space maintenance if it’s a baby tooth
Baby teeth vs. permanent teeth
- Baby teeth: We focus on comfort, function, and guiding healthy development for the adult teeth underneath.
- Permanent teeth: We prioritize long-term strength, appearance, and protection.
At-home care until your appointment
- Keep it clean: Brush gently around the area and have your child rinse with water after meals.
- Choose soft foods: Yogurt, applesauce, pasta, smoothies (avoid straws if the area is sore).
- Avoid extremes: Skip very hot or cold foods and hard or sticky snacks.
- Watch closely: Call us if you see increasing pain, swelling, fever, or a change in tooth color.
Prevention tips
- Wear a mouthguard for sports and active play with fall or contact risk.
- Avoid chewing on ice, pens, or hard candies.
- Childproof sharp corners and slippery areas at home.
- Teach kids not to run with objects in their mouths.
- Keep up with regular checkups and fluoride to support strong enamel.
We’re here to help
If your child has chipped a tooth, call our office. We make every effort to see dental injuries promptly and keep your child comfortable from start to finish. If the situation is life-threatening, call 911 first—then let us know so we can coordinate follow-up care.