What to Do if Your Child’s Tooth Broke in Half

As parents, we do what we can to keep our children’s smiles bright with routine dental visits, regular brushing and nutritious diets. Even with these precautions, active children can suffer dental injuries like a broken tooth. Here’s what to do if it happens to your child. 

Understanding Why Children’s Teeth Break

Children’s teeth break for several reasons, but trauma from falls or sports is the most common. Weakened enamel caused by acid erosion can make your child’s teeth more vulnerable and cause tooth decay and chipping. It’s easier for teeth to fracture once decay sets in. 

Treatment for a Child’s Broken Tooth

There are several options available for treating a child’s broken tooth. 

Immediate Action

Here’s how to take quick action when a child’s tooth breaks:

• Rinse the mouth: Have your child gently rinse their mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• Stop any bleeding: Use a clean cloth or gauze to apply pressure if there’s bleeding.
• Save the tooth fragment: Place the broken piece in milk or saliva to preserve it for the dentist.
• Call the dentist: Contact your dentist immediately for guidance and an urgent appointment.

Pain Management

You can reduce the pain associated with a broken tooth by:

• Rinsing with saltwater: In a cup, add half a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water until the salt dissolves. Have your child move the water around their mouth and the sore area. Salt is a natural disinfectant, which can reduce swelling and pain in the gums.
• Applying a cold compress: If there’s swelling, wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it against the area. Use this cold compress to help reduce inflammation. 
• Using over-the-counter medications: You can give your child limited doses of aspirin or ibuprofen as their doctor advises. However, the pain relief is temporary, and they should see a dentist soon. 

Tooth Repair Options

The good news is that a child’s broken tooth can be fixed. A dental filling may suffice if the chip is in the visible area and there’s no pain or discoloration. If the front of your child’s broken tooth is discolored, chipped and painful, it may indicate pulp tissue damage. Your dentist may recommend root canal treatment, repairing the tooth from the root to the crown, and placing a dental crown. 

Alternatively, the dentist might bond the broken tooth fragment, using adhesive and tooth-colored resin over the affected area and shaping it to look natural. 

Preventive Measures

While we cannot always prevent a broken tooth, these precautions can help minimize the risk:

• Prevention: Using safety equipment, like mouthguards during contact sports, like football or martial arts, protects their teeth from trauma. These plastic splints fit on the teeth and support them from the outside.
• Protection:Installing corner guards, staircase gates and carpeting can help minimize accidents at home that affect children’s teeth. 

Long-Term Monitoring

Your kids should visit the dentist at least every six months for routine check-ups. During these visits, your dentist will monitor the broken tooth and identify other dental concerns for proactive treatment. 

Trust Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Your Child’s Dental Care

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist to repair your child’s broken tooth, look no further than Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Our child-friendly office is a welcoming environment where kids can get the treatments they need from staff with expertise in handling pediatric patients. 

Contact us to find out more or request an appointment.