Children do not schedule their dental emergencies. A fall at the playground in Kedron. A collision during weekend sport at Downey Park. A toothache that starts at bedtime. When it happens, parents need to know what to do and how quickly they need to act.
This guide covers the most common dental emergencies in children, what first aid to provide at home, and when to call your dentist urgently.
Knocked-out tooth: baby tooth vs adult tooth
The response depends entirely on whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent (adult) tooth. Getting this right matters.
If a baby tooth is knocked out
Do not try to put it back in. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the developing adult tooth sitting underneath in the jawbone. Instead:
- Stay calm. Your child will take their cue from you.
- Control bleeding by having the child bite gently on a clean cloth or gauze.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek to reduce swelling.
- Keep the tooth if you can find it (your dentist may want to confirm it is a complete tooth and not a fragment).
- See your dentist within 24 hours for assessment.
Even though the baby tooth will not be replanted, your dentist should check for damage to the gum, bone, and underlying adult tooth.
If an adult tooth is knocked out
This is time-critical. The goal is reimplantation, and the chance of success drops significantly after 30 minutes.
- Find the tooth. Handle it by the crown (the white chewing surface), not the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly under running water. Do not scrub it or remove any tissue attached to the root.
- Try to gently push the tooth back into the socket. If the child is old enough to hold it in place by biting on a cloth, do so.
- If you cannot replant it, place the tooth in a container of milk or have the child spit saliva into a cup and place the tooth in that. Do not store it in water. Do not let it dry out.
- Go to your dentist or nearest emergency dental clinic immediately.
The periodontal ligament cells on the root surface need to stay alive for reimplantation to succeed. Milk preserves these cells. Water does not.
Broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
Children chip teeth frequently. The severity determines the urgency.
Minor chip (no pain, no sharp edge)
A small chip on a baby or adult tooth with no sensitivity or pain can usually wait for a scheduled appointment within a few days. Smooth any sharp edge with an emery board if it is irritating the child's lip or tongue.
Larger fracture (pain, sensitivity, or visible pink/red)
If the break exposes the inner layers of the tooth (dentine or pulp), the child will likely experience sensitivity or pain. Pink or red tissue visible inside the tooth means the nerve is exposed. This needs same-day treatment.
Apply a cold compress. Give age-appropriate pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the dosage on the packaging). Call your dentist.
Tooth pushed into the gum (intrusion)
A hard blow can push a tooth up into the jawbone rather than knocking it out. This is more common with baby teeth in toddlers. The tooth may appear shorter than its neighbours or may not be visible at all. See your dentist the same day. Imaging is needed to assess the position of the tooth and any damage to the developing adult tooth.
Toothache
Not every toothache is an emergency, but a child in pain needs attention.
When it can wait until a scheduled appointment
- Mild, intermittent sensitivity to cold that resolves quickly
- A tooth that is slightly sore after losing a baby tooth naturally
- Discomfort from a new tooth erupting (common with six-year molars and later with wisdom teeth in older teens)
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage discomfort in the interim.
When it needs urgent care
- Severe, constant pain that wakes the child at night or is not controlled by over-the-counter pain relief
- Swelling in the face, gum, or jaw
- Fever accompanying a toothache (which may indicate infection)
- A visible abscess (a pimple-like bump on the gum near the sore tooth)
These signs may indicate an infection or dental abscess that needs prompt treatment. Call your dentist. If the practice is closed and the child has facial swelling with fever, go to the emergency department.
Bitten lip, tongue, or cheek
Soft tissue injuries in the mouth bleed heavily and look alarming, but most heal well with basic care.
- Rinse the area gently with cool water.
- Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- If bleeding does not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of sustained pressure, or if the wound is deep or gaping, seek medical or dental attention.
Objects stuck between teeth
Children sometimes wedge food, small toys, or other objects between their teeth. Try to remove it gently with dental floss. Do not use sharp or pointed instruments. If floss does not work, see your dentist. Leaving an object wedged between teeth can cause gum irritation and pain.
What to keep in a dental first aid kit
Having a few items ready at home saves time when an emergency happens:
- Clean gauze pads. For controlling bleeding and cushioning a reimplanted tooth.
- A small container with a lid. For storing a knocked-out tooth in milk or saliva during transport to the dentist.
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen. Age-appropriate formulations for pain management.
- Cold compress or ice pack. Wrapped in a cloth, never applied directly to skin.
- Your dentist's phone number. Save it in your phone so you are not searching during a stressful moment.
Preventing dental emergencies in children
Not all emergencies are preventable, but the most common ones are reducible.
Mouthguards for sport. A custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist provides better protection than a boil-and-bite guard from a pharmacy. If your child plays contact sports, Australian Rules, rugby, soccer, basketball, or hockey, a mouthguard should be standard equipment. Ivy Dental provides custom mouthguards at Everton Park and Nundah.
Supervise young children during play. Toddlers and preschoolers are at highest risk for falls that cause dental trauma. Supervision around hard surfaces, playground equipment, and swimming pools reduces the incidence.
Regular dental visits. Routine check-ups for children allow your dentist to identify weakened teeth, early decay, or bite issues that could increase the risk of fracture or trauma.
Address decay early. A tooth weakened by untreated decay is far more likely to fracture. Keeping up with preventive care and treating cavities when they are small reduces the chance of a broken tooth becoming an emergency.
CDBS and emergency dental costs for children
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,158 in benefits over a two-year period for eligible children aged 0 to 17. Eligible services may include examinations, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and root canal treatments that could be needed in an emergency.
At Ivy Dental, CDBS-covered emergency items are bulk billed at $0 out of pocket while the remaining Medicare balance covers the planned treatment. We check eligibility and balance before treatment proceeds.
Eligibility is based on receiving a relevant Australian Government payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. Check with Services Australia or ask our team whether your child qualifies.
For families without CDBS eligibility, payment plan options may be available to approved applicants.
When to call Ivy Dental
If your child has a dental emergency, book online at any time. We see emergency patients across our Everton Park and Nundah locations, including weekends. During opening hours, call for phone triage, first-aid guidance, and booking help. Appointment timing depends on urgency and clinic capacity.
For an emergency, book online at any time or call (07) 3266 7120 during opening hours for phone triage and booking help. For a routine check-up, use our general booking page. Emergency appointment timing depends on urgency and clinic capacity.
Indicative pricing. Your quote may differ based on clinical assessment.
