Definition

• Injury to a tooth

Health Information

Types of Tooth Injuries

• Loosened tooth - May bleed a little from the gums. Usually tightens up on its own.
• Displaced tooth (usually pushed inward)
• Chipped or fractured tooth
• Avulsed (knocked out) tooth - a dental emergency for permanent teeth

Symptoms

• The main symptom is pain.
• Minor bleeding from the gums may occur.

Prevention

• Careful adult supervision of young children
• Education of older children about high risk behaviors

Care Advice

1. Cold:
   • For pain, put a piece of ice or a popsicle on the injured gum.
   • Another option: put a cold pack on the cheek.
   • Do this for 20 minutes.
2. Pain Medicine:
   • To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Use as needed.
3. Soft Diet:
   • For any loose teeth, offer a soft diet.
   • Avoid foods that need much chewing.
   • You can go back to a normal diet after 3 days. By then, the tooth should be tightened up.
4. What to Expect:
   • Tooth pain most often goes away in 2 or 3 days.

Call Your Doctor If

• Pain becomes severe
• Cold fluids cause tooth pain
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse
• Note: If your child has a dentist, call them instead of your doctor.

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

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