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Find the tooth, hold it by the crown (the white part), and avoid touching the root. Rinse it gently with water if dirty but do not scrub. If possible, push it back into the socket immediately. If not, store it in cold milk, saline, or the child's own saliva and get to a dentist within 30 minutes. The faster the tooth is reimplanted, the better the long-term prognosis.

No. Reimplanting a baby tooth risks damaging the permanent tooth developing underneath it. However, you should still see a dentist promptly to assess for bone or gum injuries and to discuss whether a space maintainer is needed to prevent neighbouring teeth from drifting into the gap.

Discolouration after trauma usually indicates bleeding inside the tooth or nerve damage. A grey or dark tooth does not always mean the nerve is dead; sometimes the colour partially recovers over several months. However, a persistent colour change warrants monitoring with X-rays and vitality tests to determine whether root canal treatment is needed.

Yes, and this is one of the most important reasons to seek professional assessment after any injury to a baby tooth. The force of impact can disturb the developing permanent tooth bud, potentially causing enamel defects, abnormal shape, delayed eruption, or, in severe cases, arrested development. Regular follow-up X-rays allow us to monitor the permanent tooth's progress.

The duration depends on the injury type. Luxation injuries typically require splinting for two weeks, avulsed teeth for two to four weeks, and root fractures for up to four weeks or longer. The splint is flexible to allow normal healing movement and is removed in the clinic once the tooth is stable. Your child can eat soft foods normally while the splint is in place.

Root resorption is a process where the body gradually breaks down the root of a traumatised tooth. It is one of the most serious long-term complications of dental trauma. There are different types, some treatable and some not, which is why structured follow-up with regular X-rays is so important. Early detection gives us the best chance of intervening before the tooth is lost.

Absolutely. Many complications of dental trauma, including nerve death, root resorption, and infection, develop silently over weeks or months without any visible symptoms. Follow-up visits with clinical examination and X-rays are the only way to detect these problems early. Skipping follow-ups is one of the most common reasons children lose teeth after trauma.

A mouthguard is recommended from the moment your child participates in any sport involving contact, falls, or fast-moving objects, which can be as early as age six or seven. Custom-fitted mouthguards from a dentist provide far better protection and comfort than shop-bought alternatives and can be updated as your child's mouth grows.

In many cases, yes. Modern endodontic techniques, including regenerative procedures for immature teeth, can extend the life of a traumatised tooth significantly even when complications arise later. The key is regular monitoring so that problems are detected at a stage when treatment options are still available.

The most common injuries are enamel and enamel-dentine fractures (chips and breaks), followed by luxation injuries where the tooth is displaced. Complete avulsion accounts for a smaller but clinically significant proportion. Toddlers most often injure their upper front teeth during falls, while school-age children are more likely to sustain injuries during sports or playground activities.