My Child Has A Chipped Tooth — What To Do?

What Causes Chipped or Broken Teeth in Children?

Dental injuries among children are common and can occur at any time. Here are some reasons why your child might have a chipped or broken tooth:

1. Injuries during play or sports: Children who participate in contact sports like soccer, basketball, or baseball are more likely to experience damage to teeth.
2. Accidents or falls: A tumble off a bike or a fall on the playground can sometimes result in a chipped or broken tooth.
3. Decayed teeth: Teeth that are already weakened by cavities or poor dental hygiene are more prone to chip.
4. Hard biting force: Biting on inedible objects like pencils, nail-biting, or using teeth to open things like a bottle cap can also cause damage.

What to Do If Your Child Has A Chipped Tooth?

A small chip on a tooth may not seem like a big deal, but it may cause future issues if left untreated. So if your child has accidentally broken or chipped a tooth, the best approach is to get in touch with a pediatric dentist as early as possible. A same-day visit may be necessary to prevent further damage or infection.

Before reaching the dental office, you can take some first-aid steps for damage control. Gently rinse your child’s mouth with warm (not hot) water to help clean the area and reduce the chance of infection. Make sure your child spits out the broken part to prevent swallowing it.

If you can find the chipped part of the tooth, wrap it in clean, damp gauze or place it in a container with milk. In some cases, it can be reattached to the tooth.