Dental emergency

Tooth pushed into the gum (intrusion)

A tooth driven into the bone — see a dentist immediately.

First 30 minutes

Do this right now

Do not try to pull the tooth back out. Give paracetamol for pain, keep the child calm, and get to a pediatric dentist within a few hours. Baby-tooth intrusions often re-erupt on their own; permanent-tooth intrusions almost always need active repositioning.

Find nearest emergency dentist

Do

  • See a dentist within hours
  • Paracetamol for pain
  • Soft diet
  • Save any fragments

Don't

  • Never pull the tooth out
  • Don't push on it
  • Don't wait to see if it re-erupts on its own without professional assessment

When to go to the ER instead

Only if there's a suspected jaw fracture or head injury.

What happens at the dentist

X-rays check the tooth's position and its effect on the developing permanent tooth germ (for baby teeth). Splinting, repositioning or (for baby teeth affecting the permanent tooth) extraction.

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First-aid triage for every common pediatric dental emergency.

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