Accidents happen — and when they involve your teeth, acting fast can make all the difference. Dental injuries from falls, sports, or everyday mishaps can cause cracks, chips, or even tooth loss. The good news? You can often minimize the damage if you know what to do and when to contact your dentist.
At Tooronga Family Dentistry, Dr. Kaufman and our team are here to help you handle dental emergencies quickly and effectively. Here’s what you should know if you or your child experiences dental trauma.
After a Fall — Don’t Assume Everything Is Fine
Even if your teeth look intact after a fall, there could still be internal damage. Cracks, loosened teeth, or root injuries aren’t always visible to the naked eye. If left unchecked, these can lead to long-term dental complications.
Always book an emergency appointment with Dr. Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry to ensure no hidden damage has occurred. The sooner you get examined, the better the chances of saving your tooth.
Dental Accidents in Children
Bumps and falls are part of growing up, but a knocked-out tooth requires immediate attention. Follow these steps to minimize long-term damage:
- Find the tooth — Hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root.
- Clean it gently — If dirty, rinse with clean running water. Don’t scrub or touch the root.
- Reinsert the tooth if it’s permanent — Gently place it back in the socket, ensuring it’s facing the right way.
- If it’s a baby tooth, do not reinsert it. Place it in a bag and bring it to your dentist.
- Call Tooronga Family Dentistry immediately.
- If you can’t replant it, store it in milk or saliva. Older children may keep the tooth in their mouth if safe to do so.
If your child complains of a toothache after a fall, rinse with salt water (1 teaspoon salt in a cup of lukewarm water) and use paracetamol for pain relief. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling — but remember, this does not apply to teething infants.
For broken or bent braces or retainers, remove them and bring them to Dr. Kaufman for adjustment. Learn more about orthodontic emergencies.
Dental Trauma in Adults
If you lose a tooth due to an accident, time is critical — ideally, see Dr. Kaufman within 30 minutes. The faster you act, the greater the chance of saving your tooth.
Follow these steps:
- Find the tooth and handle it by the crown only.
- Rinse with clean water if dirty — never scrub or soak it.
- Reinsert it gently into the socket and bite down softly on a tissue, gauze, or mouthguard to keep it in place.
- Call Tooronga Family Dentistry right away.
- If you can’t replant it, transport it in milk or saliva.
Final Thoughts
Dental emergencies can happen to anyone — children or adults. Knowing what to do in those first few moments can be the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Keep our number handy, and if an accident occurs, contact Tooronga Family Dentistry immediately for professional care and peace of mind.