Dental Emergencies
Find your child’s concern below for practical first steps. These tips support, but do not replace, an individual assessment by a dentist or medical professional.
Need help with a dental injury?
Call Dr. Nik’s office and tell us what happened. The team will advise you about care and confirm availability.
Call (310) 855-9920What happened?
Click or tap a topic to read the guidance.
Toothache
Pain can have several causes, including decay, trapped food, or an injury. A dental examination can identify the cause.
What to do: Toothache
- If your child can rinse and spit safely, gently rinse with warm water. Carefully floss to remove trapped food; never use a sharp object.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling. Do not put aspirin on the tooth or gums.
- Call the office for prompt advice, especially if pain persists or there is swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Baby and permanent teeth need different first aid. Contact a dentist immediately.
What to do: Knocked-Out Tooth
- Baby tooth: do not put it back into the socket. The dentist should assess the injury and the developing permanent tooth.
- Permanent tooth: hold only the crown (the part normally visible), not the root. If dirty, rinse gently without scrubbing.
- If you are certain it is a permanent tooth and your child is alert and cooperative, it may be gently returned to its socket. Never force it. If unsure or unable, put it in milk or a tooth-preservation solution and seek dental care immediately.
- Keep the tooth moist. Do not wrap it in tissue, store it in tap water, or put a loose tooth in a young child’s mouth. Bring it with you; do not wait for a routine appointment.
Tooth Pushed Into the Gum
An impact can push a tooth into its socket. This is called intrusion and may affect the supporting tissues.
What to do: Tooth Pushed Into the Gum
- Contact the dentist immediately, even if little of the tooth is visible. Do not try to pull it out or move it yourself.
- Apply a cold compress outside the mouth. The dentist will assess the tooth and decide whether monitoring or treatment is needed.
Loose or Displaced Tooth After an Injury
A tooth may look longer, sit at an angle, or feel loose after a blow. These injuries are sometimes called luxation or extrusion.
What to do: Loose or Displaced Tooth After an Injury
- Call the dentist immediately. Avoid wiggling the tooth or trying to straighten it.
- Use a cold compress outside the cheek and avoid biting with the injured tooth until you receive advice.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
A break may involve the visible crown of the tooth. Its depth is not always obvious, so contact the dentist to assess it.
What to do: Chipped or Broken Tooth
- If your child can rinse safely, clean the mouth gently with warm water. Use a cold compress outside the cheek.
- Bring any pieces you find to the dentist. Do not put household glue or other materials into the damaged tooth.
Possible Root Fracture
A root injury may be hidden below the gum. A dental examination and X-rays may be needed after a significant impact.
What to do: Possible Root Fracture
- Contact the dentist if the tooth is painful, loose, or displaced after an injury.
- Avoid chewing on that tooth. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury.
Bumped or Discolored Tooth
A tooth can be injured without visibly breaking or moving. Dentists sometimes call this a dental concussion.
What to do: Bumped or Discolored Tooth
- Tell the dentist about the impact and any tenderness, change in color, swelling, or change in the bite.
- Arrange an assessment and follow-up as advised. A color change alone does not tell you whether a tooth needs treatment.
Injured Lip, Cheek or Tongue
Cuts or bites can cause bleeding and swelling.
What to do: Injured Lip, Cheek or Tongue
- Gently clean with water and apply steady pressure with clean gauze or a cloth. A cold compress can help with swelling.
- Seek urgent medical care if bleeding will not stop, the wound is deep, or the injury is severe.
Possible Broken Jaw
A suspected jaw fracture needs emergency medical assessment.
What to do: Possible Broken Jaw
- Go to an emergency department. Keep your child as comfortable and still as possible.
- Do not try to realign the jaw or tie it shut. Call 911 if there is difficulty breathing or another life-threatening symptom.
Head Injury
A head injury needs medical attention rather than dental treatment alone.
What to do: Head Injury
- Call 911 if your child is unconscious, difficult to wake, having a seizure, or has trouble breathing.
- Seek urgent medical assessment for vomiting, worsening symptoms, unusual behavior, or other concerns after a head injury. Do not wait for a dental appointment.
When you call
Have your child’s age, the time of the injury, symptoms, and affected tooth ready. Tell us whether it is a baby or permanent tooth, if you know.
Outside office hours
Call for any recorded instructions. If urgent care is needed and you cannot reach us, seek another available emergency dentist or an emergency department as appropriate. This website is not monitored for urgent requests.
Office hours and locationFurther reading: AAPD parent guidanceADA dental emergenciesKnocked-out permanent teeth