What to Do If Your Child Knocks Out a Tooth

It’s every parent’s nightmare: your child comes running with a bloody mouth and a tooth in their hand. Whether it’s from a fall, a ball to the face, or an accidental bump during play, a knocked-out tooth can be alarming. But knowing what to do in the first few moments makes a huge difference for your child’s comfort and long-term dental health.

Here's exactly how to respond, when to call your pediatric dentist in Kansas City, and what to expect next.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

When your child is hurt, your calmness helps set the tone. Reassure them with a gentle voice and let them know you’re going to take care of it together. Quickly check for:

• Bleeding in the mouth or around the lips
• Swelling or signs of other injury 
• Any other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or confusion

Use a clean cloth or gauze to apply gentle pressure to the gums. If bleeding is heavy or won’t stop after 10 minutes, head straight to your nearest pediatric dentist or urgent care.

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and offer comfort. If your child is old enough, they can gently bite down on gauze or a damp tea bag to help slow the bleeding.

Locate the Tooth and Handle It Gently

If the tooth was knocked completely out, look for it right away. Pick it up by the **crown only** (the white, visible part of the tooth). Avoid touching the root, which is delicate and easily damaged.

• Rinse the tooth only if it’s dirty, and do so with milk or saline—not water or soap. 
• Don’t scrub or wipe the tooth. Just a light rinse is enough. 
• Do not wrap it in tissue or paper towels, which can dry it out.

The next steps depend on whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent one.

Baby Tooth Knocked Out? Don’t Try to Reinsert It.

Baby teeth are not meant to be put back into the socket. Doing so can damage the underlying adult teeth. But that doesn’t mean you can skip the dentist.

Here’s what to do:

• Store the tooth in a small container with milk or saline 
• Bring it with you to the dental office 
• Keep your child comfortable and avoid hard foods until they’ve been seen

Even if the tooth can’t be saved, a pediatric dentist will check for root fragments, trauma to the gums, and damage to nearby teeth. See our emergency dentistry page for more.

Permanent Tooth Knocked Out? Time Is Everything.

If your child loses a permanent tooth, the clock starts ticking. The faster it’s reimplanted, the better the chance it can be saved.

Follow these steps:

1. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket gently. Have your child hold it in place by biting down on gauze. 
2. If reinserting isn’t possible, **place the tooth in a tooth preservation kit, milk, or their own saliva**. Keep it moist at all times. 
3. Call your pediatric dentist immediately. Aim to be seen within 30 minutes.

Sweet Tooth has locations across Overland Park, Shawnee, Grandview, Lee’s Summit, and more — so expert care is always close by.

What Happens at the Dentist’s Office

Once you arrive, we’ll examine your child’s mouth, take X-rays if needed, and decide the best course of treatment.

If it’s a permanent tooth:

• We may reimplant and splint the tooth to adjacent teeth to hold it in place 
• Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection 
• Follow-up visits will monitor healing and check for nerve damage

If it’s a baby tooth:

• We’ll check for trauma or leftover fragments 
• We may recommend a space maintainer to keep surrounding teeth in proper alignment

Most importantly, our team is trained to keep kids calm and comfortable during unexpected visits.

When to Head to the ER Instead

Go to the emergency room if your child:



• Can’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure 
• Has trouble breathing or swallowing 
• Shows signs of a head injury (vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness) 
• May have a broken jaw (look for swelling, bruising, or a misaligned bite)

In these cases, treat the medical emergency first, then follow up with the dentist once your child is stable.

Preventing Future Tooth Injuries

Knocked-out teeth are often preventable. Here’s how to reduce the risk:

Sports Protection

If your child plays sports like football, soccer, basketball, or skateboards regularly, a custom mouth guard is a must. Unlike store-bought versions, a custom fit provides better comfort and protection.

Safe Play and Supervision

Remind your child not to run with objects in their mouth or jump on furniture. 

Young kids especially need gentle reminders as they explore.

Dental Checkups

Regular cleanings give us a chance to spot any weak spots or vulnerable areas. Preventive care is always the best first step.

We're Here When You Need Us

At Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand how scary a dental injury can be — for both kids and parents. That’s why we offer fast, kid-friendly care with seven locations across the Kansas City metro.

If your child knocks out a tooth, don’t wait. Contact Sweet Tooth as soon as you can!