By Philip Matson, DDS, MS
Owner/Pediatric Dentist at Destination Pediatric Dentistry
The Pediatric Dentist’s Perspective on Dental Trauma
There are certain weekend activities I enjoy with my kids that, as a pediatric dentist, raise my blood pressure. Trampoline parks top the list. Much like a doctor dreading a mid-flight emergency, I find myself scanning the sea of bouncing children and bracing for impact — literally. In my mind, every leap carries a high risk of dental trauma, and when it happens, I know the call to action might fall on me.
But what if a pediatric dentist isn’t around? Here are three essential things every parent should know when facing a dental emergency.
1. Don’t Panic — Assess the Situation Calmly
Accidents happen, and we’re trained to handle them. Your first step should be to calm your child and try to figure out what happened. Ask questions and visually assess the area of pain or injury in the mouth.
2. Control Bleeding and Improve Visibility
The tissues in the mouth are highly vascular, meaning even small cuts can bleed heavily. Here’s what you should do:
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Identify the source of bleeding and apply pressure using a moistened towel or tissue.
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Encourage your child to bite down gently on the towel to help stop the bleeding.
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Rinse their mouth gently with water to clear away blood or debris.
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Use a wet cloth (not dry) to avoid disrupting clot formation.
Once the area is clean, look closely to determine if the dental trauma involves soft tissue (gums, lips, tongue) or teeth.
3. Know What Type of Dental Trauma You’re Dealing With
🦷 If a Tooth Has Been Knocked Out (Avulsed):
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Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (not the root).
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Ideally, place it back in the socket. If that’s not feasible, put it in a small cup of milk (any kind is fine).
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Do not rinse with tap water — this can damage the living cells on the root surface.
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Call your pediatric dentist immediately. Time is crucial: the shorter the tooth is out of the mouth and dry, the better the outcome.
🦷 If a Tooth Has Been Fractured:
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Try to locate and save the broken piece. Place it in a small container with water to keep it moist.
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If the piece can’t be found or it shattered, don’t worry — we can still repair the tooth effectively.
🦷 If a Tooth Is Loose or Displaced:
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Ask your child to avoid touching or wiggling the tooth.
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Keep their mouth gently closed with teeth together, and discourage use of fingers or tongue on the affected area.
When to Contact Your Pediatric Dentist
After following the above steps, your next move should be to call your pediatric dental office. At Destination Pediatric Dentistry, we offer guidance over the phone and often triage emergencies using texted photos before scheduling an in-person visit.
📸 Tip: Take clear, close-up pictures of the injured area and be ready to send them to us. This allows us to assess the injury quickly and determine next steps.
Even if the trauma occurs outside normal business hours, still call our office. We partner with other pediatric dentists in the Austin area to provide 24/7 emergency care. You’ll always be connected with a specialist who can help.
Final Thoughts
Dental trauma can be scary, but knowing how to respond can make a major difference in recovery and outcomes. Stay calm, act quickly, and don’t hesitate to call your pediatric dentist for professional support.
🚨 Concerned About Dental Trauma? Contact Us Today
Whether it’s a chipped tooth or a dental emergency, we’re here to help.