What to Do If Your Child Loses a Tooth While Playing Sports

What to Do If Your Child Loses a Tooth While Playing Sports

A calm, step-by-step guide for parents when a tooth comes out during play.

One minute your child is racing down the field or diving for a loose ball, and the next they're running toward you holding their mouth. Few moments on the sidelines are scarier for a parent. Take a breath. Knowing exactly what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference in whether a tooth can be saved.

Here is what to do, step by step.

First, Check for Other Injuries

Before you look for the tooth, look at your child. A hit hard enough to knock out a tooth can also cause other injuries. Get medical care right away if your child has any of the following:

• Headache, dizziness, confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness

• Bleeding that doesn't slow down after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure

• Trouble opening or closing the mouth, or pain that suggests a jaw injury

If your child seems otherwise okay, move on to the tooth.

Is It a Baby Tooth or a Permanent Tooth?

This is the most important question, because the two are handled very differently. As a general guide, children usually get their permanent front teeth between about ages 6 and 8. If your child is younger than that, the tooth is most likely a baby tooth. If they're older, or you can see that the tooth is large with a long root, it's most likely permanent.

If you're not sure, don't try to put the tooth back in. Store it in milk, as described below, and call us right away.

What to Do for a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Do not put a baby tooth back in its socket. Replanting it can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Instead:

• Have your child gently rinse their mouth with water.

• Press clean gauze or a clean cloth on the area to stop any bleeding.

• Use a cold compress on the outside of the face to help with swelling.

• Call us so we can check the area and make sure no pieces of the tooth were left behind.

What to Do for a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. The cells on the root begin to die within minutes once the tooth dries out, so speed matters. Follow these steps:

1. Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown, the white part you can see when your child smiles. Do not touch the root.

2. Rinse it only if it's dirty. Hold it by the crown and rinse it briefly with milk or water. Do not scrub it, use soap, or wrap it in a tissue.

3. Try to put it back in, if you can. If the tooth is clean and your child is calm enough to cooperate, gently push it back into the socket facing the right way. Have your child bite down softly on gauze or a clean cloth to hold it in place.

4. If it won't go back in, keep it moist. Place it in a small container of milk. Saline solution also works. Do not store the tooth in plain water.

5. Call us and come in right away. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved when it's seen within 30 minutes. Call (614) 864-7731 on your way.

When a Tooth Is Loose or Pushed Out of Place

Sometimes a tooth doesn't come all the way out. It may be loose, tipped forward or backward, or pushed up into the gum so it looks shorter than before. Don't try to move it back into place yourself. Keep your child comfortable, use a cold compress for swelling, and call us the same day. These injuries can affect the tooth's nerve and root even when the damage isn't obvious.

When It's Just a Loose Baby Tooth Coming Out

Not every lost tooth on the field is an emergency. If your child already had a wiggly baby tooth and it finally came out during a game, that's a normal part of growing up. Have them rinse with water and press gauze on the spot for a few minutes. There's no need to save the tooth for us, though the tooth fairy may want it.

What Happens at the Dentist

When you arrive, we'll examine your child's mouth and take X-rays to check the roots and surrounding bone. If a permanent tooth was put back in, we may attach a thin, flexible splint to the neighboring teeth to hold it steady while it heals. Your child will need a few follow-up visits so we can make sure the tooth is healing well, and some replanted teeth need additional treatment later on.

If a baby tooth was lost early, we'll check that the permanent tooth underneath is safe. In some cases, we may recommend a space maintainer to hold room for the permanent tooth until it comes in.

Throughout the visit, we'll go at your child's pace and explain everything in words they understand.

How to Help Prevent a Knocked-Out Tooth

A well-fitted mouth guard is the best way to protect your child's teeth during sports and active play. Make it as routine as a helmet or shin guards, at practices as well as games. It's also a good idea to keep a small container, gauze, and our phone number in your sports bag so you're ready if an accident does happen.

Knocked-Out Tooth Care for Children in Reynoldsburg

At Loper Legacy Dental, we care for patients of all ages, and we know how stressful a dental injury can be for kids and parents alike. If your child loses a tooth during a game or while playing, call us right away. We'll help you through it, one step at a time.

Schedule an Appointment

We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Request an appointment today!

Loper Legacy Dental(614) 864-77316321 Livingston Ave, Suite AReynoldsburg, OH 43068

Office HoursMonday: 8:15am – 6:00pmTuesday and Wednesday: 8:15am – 5:00pmThursday: 2:00pm – 7:00pmFriday: 8:15am – 2:00pm

This article is general information about dental injuries in children. It is not a substitute for an examination or personalized advice from your dentist or your child's doctor. If your child has a serious injury, seek emergency medical care.