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What to do:

If a baby or toddler injures the gums or teeth:

• Put cold water on a piece of gauze and apply pressure to the site if there is bleeding.
• Offer ice or and ice lolly to suck which will help to reduce swelling and pain.
• Over the following week watch for signs of infection such as swollen or tender gums around the injury site.
• If you are concerned about anything then make an emergency appointment to see your child’s dentist.

If a permanent tooth is chipped or broken:

• Collect all the pieces of the tooth.
• Rinse the mouth with warm water.
• Give the child a cold compress to hold over the injured tooth.
• See your dentist as soon as possible.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out:

• Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root.
• Rinse the tooth immediately with salt water or milk. Tap water should not be used since it contains chlorine which may damage the root.
• Try to get your child to gently replace the tooth in its socket and hold it there on the way to the dentist. Use a gauze pad to keep the tooth in place.
• If the tooth cannot be reinserted then put it in milk.
• Ask the child to bite down on a gauze pad or handkerchief. This will reduce bleeding and swelling and ease pain.
• Try to see your dentist immediately.
 

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