Dental injuries are common among children. They are resilient and heal more quickly than adults, but good first-aid and initial treatment is critical in promoting healing and minimizing scarring and longer-lasting effects.

A child’s first set of teeth plays a critical role in development. Despite their name, baby teeth are not fully replaced by grown-up teeth until the teenage years. A baby tooth that gets knocked out should be kept out to minimize damage to growing tooth buds. A chipped or broken tooth should be taken to a dentist for repair.

Damage to "grown-up," permanent teeth has more lasting effects. Rapid emergency care of a knocked-out adult tooth is critical for reintegrating and saving the tooth from dying.

An injury to the mouth area is considered head trauma. If your child acts differently, seems drowsy, vomits, or complains of headache, take them to pediatric emergency room right away.