What to Do If Your Child Gets a Tooth Knocked Out During Practice

Youth sports bring countless benefits to children – they build character, teach teamwork, and promote physical fitness. But as every parent knows, sports activities also come with risks. One of the most alarming injuries you might face is when your child gets a tooth knocked out during practice or a game.

We understand how frightening this situation can be for both you and your child. The good news is that with quick thinking and proper action, many knocked-out teeth can be successfully saved and reimplanted. The key is knowing what to do in those critical first moments and having access to the right emergency dental care when you need it most.

Immediate Steps: Acting Fast Can Save Your Child's Tooth

When your child suffers a knocked-out tooth, every minute counts. The first hour after the injury – what dental professionals call the "golden hour" – offers the best chance for successful tooth reimplantation.

Start by staying calm and helping your child remain composed. Find the knocked-out tooth immediately, but handle it carefully. Hold the tooth by the crown (the white part you normally see) and avoid touching the root. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk for no more than 10 seconds. Remember to avoid the use of water and never scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments, as these contain important cells needed for successful reimplantation.

The next step is crucial: try to place the tooth back in its socket if possible. Have your child gently bite down on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place. If reimplantation isn't possible – perhaps because your child is too young or too upset – store the tooth in the best preservation medium available. Milk is ideal, followed by a tooth preservation kit if available. As a last resort, you can store it in clean water, but avoid letting the tooth dry out at all costs.

Emergency Dental Care: We're Here When You Need Us Most

We know that dental emergencies don't follow a convenient schedule. That's why we've built our practice around being accessible to families when they need us most. Our office is conveniently located among many schools throughout the Memphis area, making us easily reachable during those stressful moments when your child needs immediate care.

One of the services we're most proud of is our telehealth consultation system. When your child experiences a dental injury, you might wonder whether you need to head to the dentist or the emergency room. Our telehealth calls help determine the best course of action, potentially saving you time and directing you to the most appropriate care. We have an on-call doctor available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because we understand that accidents don't wait for business hours.

We also encourage parents to be proactive about emergency planning. When you're updating your child's medical records for the new school year or registering them for sports teams, feel free to list Pediatric Dental Care of Memphis as your preferred emergency dental clinic. Having this information readily available can streamline care when every minute matters. Our emergency visits are designed to accommodate urgent situations, and our team knows how to work efficiently while keeping both you and your child comfortable during what can be a very stressful time.

Prevention: The Best Defense Against Dental Injuries

While we're always here to help when accidents happen, we believe prevention is the best approach to protecting your child's smile. Sports are the most common culprit for dental emergencies in children and teenagers, accounting for a significant percentage of dental injuries we see in our practice.

Wearing a properly fitted sports mouthguard is absolutely the best way to protect your child's teeth during athletic activities. Many parents are surprised to learn that a quality mouthguard can prevent not just knocked-out teeth, but also chipped teeth, jaw injuries, and even concussions. We're proud to offer custom mouthguards through our in-house lab, ensuring a perfect fit that your child will actually want to wear.

Each mouthguard is custom made by our team and produced in-house. We only need to take a mouth impression during a single office visit, and our skilled technicians create a mouthguard specifically designed for your child's unique mouth structure. Custom mouthguards offer superior protection compared to over-the-counter options because they fit better and don't interfere with breathing or speaking. Many insurance companies recognize the preventative value of sports dentistry services and cover sports mouthguards as a preventative measure, making this protection both effective and affordable for families.

Taking Action to Protect Your Child's Smile

Dental injuries during sports don't have to result in permanent damage to your child's smile. By knowing how to respond quickly in an emergency and taking preventative measures like custom mouthguards, you can help ensure that sports remain a positive part of your child's development.

Remember, the most important thing you can do is stay prepared. Keep our emergency contact information easily accessible, consider investing in a custom mouthguard for your young athlete, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions about protecting your child's oral health during sports activities. We're here to partner with you in keeping your child's smile healthy and bright, whether that means emergency care or preventative planning.

Your child's safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we're committed to providing the caring, expert dental care your family deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Dentistry

How effective are mouthguards at preventing dental injuries?

Custom-fitted mouthguards are highly effective at preventing dental injuries during sports activities. Studies show that athletes who wear mouthguards are 60 times less likely to suffer dental injuries compared to those who don't wear protection. Custom mouthguards from our in-house lab offer superior protection because they're specifically designed for your child's mouth, providing better fit, comfort, and coverage than store-bought alternatives.

At what age should my child start wearing a mouthguard for sports?

We recommend that children wear mouthguards as soon as they begin participating in any sport with potential for contact or falls, typically around age 6 or 7 when their permanent teeth start coming in. However, even younger children participating in activities like gymnastics or martial arts can benefit from mouthguard protection. The key is ensuring the mouthguard fits properly and doesn't interfere with breathing, which is why custom-fitted options are often the best choice for young athletes.

At Pediatric Dental Care of Memphis, we partner with families throughout the Memphis area to provide comprehensive dental care for children from infancy through young adulthood. Our team of experienced pediatric dentists is dedicated to creating positive dental experiences that last a lifetime, offering everything from preventative care to emergency services. If you have questions about protecting your child's smile during sports activities or need emergency dental care, please don't hesitate to contact us at one of our convenient Memphis locations.