Dental Trauma

Dental Injuries & Prevention

From a busted lip to a loosened tooth, mouth injuries are part of childhood. Here's how to respond when one happens, and how to make the next one far less likely.

All Dental Emergencies

Common Childhood Dental Injuries

Kids commonly experience loosened or displaced teeth, cuts to the lips, gums, or tongue, and chipped or broken teeth. Rinse gently, control bleeding with light pressure, use a cold compress for swelling, and call us so we can check for damage you can't see.

Know what to do

Simple first aid handles most mouth injuries until we can look.

Mouthguards work

A well-fitted sports mouthguard is the best protection there is.

We'll help you decide

Not sure if it's serious? Call and we'll talk it through.

A bright, welcoming dental treatment room

When to Call Right Away

Call promptly for a tooth that is loose, pushed out of position, or knocked out, for ongoing pain or bleeding, or for any injury you're unsure about. We'd always rather take a look than have you wait and wonder.

Seek medical care first for:

A serious facial injury, trouble breathing, or a possible concussion or broken jaw. Call 911 or head to the ER, then call us for the dental side.

How to Prevent Dental Injuries

A few habits prevent most of the injuries we see.

Sports mouthguard

A custom or well-fitted mouthguard is the single best protection for teeth during sports.

Helmets on wheels

Bikes, scooters, and skateboards account for a lot of dental trauma.

Childproof for toddlers

Corner guards and gates prevent the classic coffee-table collision.

Skip ice and hard candy

Chewing hard things cracks more teeth than falls do.

Why a Mouthguard Is Worth It

A mouthguard spreads and absorbs the force of an impact, dramatically lowering the risk of broken and knocked-out teeth, exactly the injuries that are most costly and most time-sensitive to treat. For contact and high-impact sports it's essential, and we're happy to talk fit and options at your child's next checkup.

You can't bubble-wrap a kid, but a mouthguard, a helmet, and our phone number get you most of the way there.

Common questions

Does my child need a mouthguard for sports?

Yes, especially for contact and high-impact sports. A mouthguard greatly lowers the risk of broken and knocked-out teeth. Ask us about one fitted for your child.

A tooth feels loose after a fall. Is that an emergency?

It can be. A loosened or displaced tooth should be checked promptly so we can stabilize it and rule out hidden damage. Call us to be seen.

The lip is cut and swollen. What do I do?

Gentle pressure with clean gauze for bleeding and a cold compress for swelling. Most lip cuts heal well, but call us if the bleeding won't stop or a tooth also took a hit.

Where to go next

Knocked-Out Tooth Act fast to save it.

Chipped or Broken Tooth First steps after a break.

Same-Day Appointments Urgent care today.

Routine Cleanings Ask about a mouthguard.

Need to be seen?

Call your office first — most dental emergencies are seen the same day.

Schedule an appointment

All Dental Emergencies · Dentistry & Orthodontics