What to Do If Your Child Chips a Tooth

Introduction

Chipped teeth in children are more common than you think. It could be a fall from a scooter, a rough game at school, or just biting into something harder than expected. The sound, the panic, and then, the question: what now?

Rinse the Mouth Gently

Even if the tooth looks stable, you want to flush away any debris. You can help the child rinse with normal or cold water. If there’s bleeding, use a soft cloth or clean gauze and press gently. If your child is old enough to rinse and spit, have them do it once or twice. Nothing too forceful.
Avoid giving mouthwashes at that point because they might cause pain due to an open wound. And if the gum is open or the nerve is exposed, that won’t go well.

Look at the injured area

Start by opening the mouth gently and taking a slow look. If part of the tooth is missing, see if you can find it. Make sure nothing loose is hiding in the mouth, a fragment left inside can be swallowed or even end up in the airway. If the gum is cut badly, don’t dig around trying to see more.
Most chipped teeth are not life-threatening. There’s no need to rush to the dental emergency room unless there’s heavy bleeding, head injury, or severe pain. Your calm reaction helps more than you realize.
So take a look. Talk softly. Sit them down somewhere quiet. A chipped tooth sounds scary, but it’s usually manageable if you know what to do next.

Check the Tooth

Use a flashlight or sit by a window. Let your child open their mouth.
You might see:

• Any bleeding around the gums or lips
• Missing pieces of tooth
• A sharp edge on the broken tooth
• Discoloration, especially dark or gray spots
• Pain when they close their teeth together

If your child is old enough, ask them where it hurts and inspect that area/

If You Find the Broken Piece

Try to save it.
Rinse it gently with water. Do not scrub. Then store it in a small, clean container. Use milk if you have it. Saline works too. Even your child’s saliva will do in a pinch. The key is keeping it moist.
While not every broken piece can be reused, it’s worth showing the dentist for kids. In some cases, they may be able to bond it back.

What If It Hurts

Some chips don’t hurt at all. Others do, especially if the nerve is exposed or if there’s trauma to the surrounding tissue.
You can give over-the-counter pain relief. Stick to what your child has tolerated before.
Avoid taking aspirin and don’t place medication directly on the tooth. For swelling, wrap ice in a cloth.

Cover Any Sharp Edges

If the tooth has a rough or jagged corner, it may start cutting your child’s tongue or cheek quickly.
Just mold a tiny piece over the sharp spot. It’s temporary. It won’t stay all day, but it helps in any kind of injury.

Watch What They Eat

Give soft foods only, preferably at room temperature. Anything too hot or cold may trigger pain.
Avoid crunchy snacks, chewy candy, citrus juice, or anything sticky. A soft sandwich, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes all work fine.
Have them chew on the opposite side of the mouth. If the front tooth is chipped, straws might help, but only if your child is old enough not to over-suck and cause more pressure.

Book the Dentist Without Waiting Too Long

Even if it seems minor, you want a pediatric dentist to take a look. Within a day or two is ideal.
The tooth may seem okay now, but cracks can deepen. Sensitivity might show up later. Sometimes the nerve is affected without any immediate signs. The dentist will check:

• How much of the tooth structure was lost
• Whether the dentin or pulp is exposed
• If the tooth is loose or the root is damaged
• Whether bonding, filling, or a crown is needed
• If root canal is required or not
• If there is additional trauma to neighboring teeth or jaws

For baby teeth, treatment is sometimes simpler. But for permanent teeth, the sooner the better.

When It’s an Emergency

Some dental injuries cross the line into emergency territory. Get help right away if you notice:

• The tooth is fully knocked out
• The gums won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes
• The jaw looks misaligned or won’t move comfortably
• Your child has signs of concussion like nausea, confusion, or fatigue
• There’s deep swelling in the face or near the eye
• Child is unable to open the mouth or close it

In these cases, go straight to urgent care or a pediatric emergency room.

Final Thoughts

Kids chip teeth. It’s part of growing up.
What matters is how you respond in those first few hours. Keep calm. Rinse the mouth. Control the pain. Protect the area until a professional can step in.
The good news is most chipped teeth, even the scary-looking ones, can be repaired. Often in a single visit. Sometimes with no long-term issues at all.