What To Do When My Kid Has A Dental Emergency?

(A Parent-Friendly Guide From Dr. Cameron Zealand at North Calgary Pediatric Dentistry)
When your child suddenly grabs their mouth, starts to cry, or walks over holding a tooth that was definitely not loose five minutes ago, your heart rate jumps immediately. Dental emergencies with kids are stressful — but the good news is that most of them can be handled quickly, calmly, and effectively when you know the right steps to take. And yes… NCPD is here for all of them.

Below, we walk you through the most common childhood dental emergencies, what you can do at home to reduce stress, and when to call us right away.

Broken or chipped tooth: what parents should do first

Kids and gravity have a complicated relationship, which is why playgrounds keep us in business.
 If your child breaks or chips a tooth:

What to do immediately:
• Stay calm — your child will mirror your reaction.
• Rinse their mouth gently with lukewarm water.
• If you can find the broken piece, place it in milk or saline (not tap water).
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Call NCPD so we can guide you on next steps. Timely treatment helps protect the nerve and prevents further damage.

How NCPD helps:

 We assess the fracture, protect the tooth, reduce sensitivity, and restore the tooth using child-friendly materials designed for safety and comfort.

Toothache: when pain means trouble
A toothache is your child’s way of saying, “Something’s not right in here.” It might be mild or it might bring everything to a halt.

At-home steps:
• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water.
• Check for trapped food and gently floss the area.
• Never place aspirin on the gums (this can burn the tissue).
• If pain persists or swelling appears, call us immediately.

We diagnose the root cause — cavity, infection, erupting tooth, or injury — and provide fast relief using gentle, evidence-informed pediatric care.

Knocked-out permanent tooth: time matters

This is the one emergency where minutes truly matter. If a permanent tooth is knocked out:

What to do:
• Pick up the tooth by the crown only. Avoid touching the root.
• If possible, gently place it back into the socket and have your child bite down on gauze.
• If not, store the tooth in milk or inside your child’s cheek (only if they’re old enough not to swallow it).
• Call NCPD immediately — the sooner we see them, the higher the chance the tooth can be saved.

How NCPD helps:
We stabilize the tooth, assess root and bone health, and provide follow-up care to protect long-term function.

Knocked-out baby tooth: what’s different?

While startling, baby teeth are not reinserted — doing so could damage the developing adult tooth underneath.

What to do:
• Apply gentle pressure if there’s bleeding.
• Give a cool compress for comfort.
• Call NCPD for an evaluation to ensure no fragments remain and to monitor the adult tooth’s development.

Bitten cheek, tongue, or lip: lots of blood, little danger

Soft tissue injuries always look dramatic because mouths bleed easily.

What to do:
• Clean the area gently with warm water.
• Apply pressure with gauze to stop bleeding.
• Use a cold compress for swelling.
• Call us if bleeding lasts longer than 10–15 minutes, if the cut is deep, or if stitches may be needed.

Something stuck between teeth: please don’t use tweezers

Kids love popcorn. Popcorn loves kids’ gums.

What to do:
• Try gently flossing the area.
• Never use sharp tools.
• If flossing doesn’t work, call NCPD for safe removal.

Dental emergencies from sports: mouthguards matter

A collision on the ice or a fall on the field can lead to cracked teeth, cut lips, or jaw injuries.

What to do:
• Follow the steps above for broken or knocked-out teeth.
• Have your child rest their jaw if it feels sore or stiff.
• Contact NCPD for an exam — even small sports injuries can cause hidden damage.

How we help:
Custom mouthguards do far more than store-bought ones. They fit better, protect better, and stay comfortable enough that kids actually wear them.

When should I call NCPD right away?

• Any knocked-out permanent tooth
 • Severe pain that interrupts eating or sleeping
 • Swelling of the mouth or face
 • A cracked tooth with sensitivity
 • Bleeding that won’t stop
 • Trauma from sports, biking, or playground falls
 • Suspected infection (fever, swelling, persistent pain)

If you’re unsure whether something qualifies as an emergency, call anyway. Parents are never “overreacting” when it comes to their kids — and we’re always happy to advise.

NCPD is here when your family needs us

Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. That’s why our team is trained, equipped, and ready to care for children quickly, gently, and with as little stress as possible.

Whether it’s a toothache, a playground incident, a sports mishap, or something that just doesn’t look right, you’re never alone in figuring it out.

Kids Dental Emergency? 
Call NCPD — we’re here to help your child feel safe, comfortable, and protected at every age.