Tooth injuries in children can result in teeth that are chipped, cracked, partially displaced or completely dislodged from the socket in the mouth. These injuries often occur as the result of falls, mishaps during play or accidents during athletics.
The consequences of a child’s tooth injury depend on the nature and severity of the injury. All people have two sets of teeth during their lifetimes – a set of 20 primary teeth that begin to emerge between 6 months and 1 year of age and a set of 32 permanent teeth that gradually replace the primary teeth beginning around age 6. Most children have lost all their primary teeth by the age of 13.
Treatment of injured teeth may differ depending upon whether the tooth is primary or permanent. For example, when a permanent tooth is knocked loose (avulsed), rapid action is required to save it. When a primary tooth is knocked loose, saving the tooth is much less important, as the tooth eventually will be lost and replaced naturally.
This patient guide focuses on injuries that occur in the primary teeth of children.
An injury to a child’s primary tooth usually requires a visit to a healthcare professional. It usually is best to consult a dentist when a child’s tooth has been injured. However, a visit to a hospital emergency room may be necessary if the child has suffered a blow to the head – which can be life-threatening – or an injury to another body part.
Parents are urged to seek emergency help in cases of dental emergencies, such as when jaw swelling indicates a potential fracture or bleeding of the gums does not stop despite firm pressure. Appointments with a dentist can be scheduled for less serious injuries, such as a minor chip in a tooth (e.g., cracked teeth).
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