Summer accidents happen; here’s how to save a tooth 

A knocked-out tooth may not have to be lost forever.  

Dentists at the UF College of Dentistry (UFCD) say the first 30 minutes after a dental injury can determine whether a permanent tooth can be saved – a critical piece of information for families as children spend more time playing sports and outdoors during the summer.  

Chipped, broken and knocked-out teeth are among the most common childhood injuries. By age 18, about half of children will experience some form of dental trauma, ranging from minor enamel fractures to teeth that are completely dislodged from the mouth. 

“I tell my kids to protect your face and teeth at all costs,” said Andre Reis, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., a UFCD clinical professor. 

Reis’s 10-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter have a dentist as a dad, so they hear this kind of advice all the time. He also insists that they wear mouthguards on any athletic field. But oral injuries may not be on every parent’s radar.  

Affecting daily functioning and confidence, this fairly common type of injury is worth paying attention to. In fact, by age 18, roughly 50% of children experience some degree of dental trauma. 

The extent and type of trauma run the gamut, from minor incidents like enamel fracture (chipped teeth) to more severe occurrences like avulsion, or “knocked out” teeth. And those serious injuries can be more complex to fix than many parents expect. 

Falls are the leading cause of chipped, cracked or broken teeth (33–36%), with many occurring at home (28%) or in outdoor play areas (14%). 

“I’ve seen all kinds of injuries,” Reis said.  

While sports account for a significant portion of dental and facial injuries, the risk isn’t isolated to a field or court. Reis has treated children after incidents of roughhousing with siblings, running into glass doors, falling while holding iPads, couch-surfing, scooter crashes, accidents in trampoline parks and jolts to the mouth with hefty water bottles, just to name a few. 

Reis’s advice to his own children is simple: use your arms to protect your face if you fall. 

“What about my arms?” his daughter asked. 

“The arm is easier to fix,” he said. 

That may sound surprising, but it reflects an important reality of dental trauma. Unlike broken bones, which can heal, damaged permanent teeth do not regenerate. Reis says even with excellent care, a traumatized tooth may require maintenance or additional treatment throughout a patient’s lifetime. 

If an injury does occur, knowing what to do at the scene of the incident is critical.  

 

Here’s what to know, according to a UFCD expert

Should we go to the ER or the dentist? 

Head straight to the ER if the injury involves significant head trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling, a blocked airway, unconsciousness or a suspected broken bone.  

If those signs aren’t present, going directly to a dental clinic is often the right move.   

“There are several levels of orofacial injuries that can start with a little chipping, but you can also have a bone fracture of the maxilla or mandibular bone,” Reis said. 

In severe cases, emergency teams can stabilize the patient and refer them to an oral surgeon.  

What should I do if my child’s tooth is knocked out? 

“Rinse it, put it back and get to the dentist’s office as soon as possible,” Reis said. “If it’s a baby tooth, don’t place it back, but follow up with the pediatric dentist as soon as possible, because trauma to the underlying permanent tooth can happen.” 

It may feel counterintuitive, but placing the tooth back in the socket can significantly improve the chances of saving it. 

“The first 30 minutes are the most important,” Reis said. “The more time the tooth remains out, the less of a chance of you being able to use your own tooth again.”  

Should we save pieces of a chipped tooth? 

“Yes, 100%, do not throw it away!” Reis said. “And if it’s missing, go back and try to find it.”  

Tooth fragments can often be reattached, even weeks later, using modern restorative techniques that preserve the tooth’s original shape and appearance. 

Any recovered tooth fragment should be stored in milk or water to keep it hydrated until you can see a dentist. 

What if we can’t see a dentist right away? 

“Still save the tooth or fragments,” Reis said. “It’s always good information.” 

Even if the original tooth can’t be fully restored, having those pieces helps dental clinicians recreate a more natural result when they restore the tooth. 

 

Prevention, of course, is the best strategy for both your child’s oral health and your wallet. 

The cost of treating a tooth after dental trauma can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and patients may need retreatment or maintenance over time. 

Mouthguards, custom or store-bought, can significantly reduce the risk and severity of dental injuries while playing sports. 

Another piece of advice Reis sends his kids out the door with?  

“Always be aware of your surroundings,” he reminds them. 

Teaching your kids to be attuned to potential hazards, whether it’s a rickety skateboard ramp, slippery surfaces or hard-to-see glass doors, can be the difference between an accident and a close call.  

But, when accidents do happen, those first few minutes matter most.  

Taking quick action at the scene, like rinsing and re-placing a knocked-out tooth or finding the chipped fragments, truly matters before you can reach a provider.