Dental injuries are common in children: a fall from a swing, a push in the playground, a ball in the face. Parents get a fright, and that is natural. What you do in the first few minutes can matter, though, especially when a whole permanent tooth has been knocked out.
This guide covers first aid until your child is seen by a dentist. It does not replace an examination: after any knock to a tooth, even if it looks minor, it is a good idea for us to see your child.
First: when to go straight to hospital
Before you look at the tooth, look at your child. Go straight to the hospital emergency department (A&E) if your child:
- Hit their head and lost consciousness, even briefly.
- Is vomiting, drowsy or confused, or complains of a bad headache.
- Has bleeding that does not stop with pressure.
- Has difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a large injury to the face or jaw.
Go to A&E as well if the injury happens outside our opening hours and the tooth needs urgent care, for example when a permanent tooth has been knocked out.
The first few minutes
- Calm your child, and yourself. Children take courage from your voice.
- Stop the bleeding: press gently with clean gauze or a cloth for several minutes. Lips and gums bleed a lot, but usually stop with pressure.
- A cold compress wrapped in a cloth, on the outside of the lip or cheek, for swelling.
- Find the tooth or the broken piece. If you cannot find it, tell us: sometimes the tooth has been pushed up into the gum.
If a baby tooth is knocked out
Do not try to put it back. A baby tooth is not replanted, because this can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath.
Keep the tooth so we can see it, stop the bleeding and contact us so we can examine your child. We want to make sure it came out whole and that the neighbouring teeth were not affected.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out
Here, time matters. The permanent front teeth usually come in from about 6–7 years old. If you are not sure whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent one, do not put it back; keep it in milk and get help straight away.
- Hold the tooth by the crown, the white part you see when smiling, never by the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it for just a few seconds with cold water or milk. Do not scrub it, wipe it or use soap or antiseptic.
- If your child can cooperate, try to put it gently back in its socket, the right way round, and ask your child to bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If that is not possible, put it straight into a small cup of milk. Do not let it dry out and do not keep it in plain water.
- Get dental help immediately.
Within opening hours, call us on 77 773 003 and say that a tooth has been knocked out, so we can tell you what to do and see your child as soon as possible. Outside opening hours, go to the hospital emergency department.
If the tooth is chipped or broken
If a piece has broken off, find it and keep it in a little water or milk; sometimes it can be bonded back. Contact us soon. If the break is large, if you can see a red or pink dot in the middle of the tooth, or if the tooth is very painful, mention it when you call, as the nerve may be exposed.
If the tooth is loose or has moved
A tooth that is loose, has been pushed in or out, or looks shorter or longer than before needs to be examined. Do not try to force it back into place. Until we see it, give soft foods and brush gently around the area.
Over the following weeks
Even when everything looks fine, an injured tooth can change over time. Look out for:
- A change in colour, with the tooth turning greyish or dark.
- Swelling of the gum or a small "pimple" above the tooth.
- Pain, or your child avoiding biting on that side.
If you notice any of these, book an appointment. After an injury we usually also plan follow-up checks, because some changes only show up with time or on an X-ray.
Mouthguards for sport
If your child plays football, basketball or hockey, or does martial arts and other contact sports, a mouthguard reduces the risk of injury to the teeth. There are ready-made mouthguards and others made to fit your child. What matters is that it fits well, stays in place and does not get in the way of breathing. If your child wears braces, ask us which type is suitable.
On bikes and scooters, a helmet is essential.
What GESY covers
What GESY covers for children's dental care can differ from adults and may change. Ask us what applies to your child; we will tell you before any treatment. You can read more on our Pediatric Dentistry and Emergency Dentist treatment pages.
Frequently asked questions
The tooth was knocked but looks fine. Does it need to be seen?
It is a good idea, yes. Some damage, such as a small crack or an injury to the root, cannot be seen with the naked eye. Contact us and we will tell you when to bring your child in.
Can I put a baby tooth back in?
No. A baby tooth is not replanted, because the permanent tooth underneath could be damaged. Keep the tooth and bring your child in for an examination.
What should I keep a knocked-out permanent tooth in?
Milk. If you have no milk and your child is old enough, they can spit a little saliva into a small cup and you can put the tooth in it. Do not keep it in plain water, do not wrap it in tissue and do not let it dry out. And get help straight away.
Does my child need a tetanus jab?
If the tooth or the wound was contaminated with soil, ask your paediatrician whether your child's tetanus vaccination is up to date.
Which mouthguard should I get?
The one that fits well and that your child actually wears in training and matches. At a check-up we can look together at which option suits, depending on the sport, your child's age and whether they wear braces.
Contact us
If your child has injured a tooth, call us within opening hours on 77 773 003; for non-urgent questions you can also message us on WhatsApp or Viber at 95 133 089. We will tell you what to do and when to bring your child to DentLux Clinic in Aglantzia, Nicosia. Outside opening hours, or if there is a head injury, loss of consciousness or bleeding that will not stop, go to the hospital emergency department.
