Dental Trauma

  1. Prevent trauma with mouth guards and helmets.
  • When trauma happens, stay calm and focus on the child’s needs.
    • If there is bleeding, hold pressure on the area for 5 minutes to stop the bleeding.
    • Evaluate the amount of trauma.
    • If hard (tooth) or soft (lips, cheeks, gums, tongue) tissue is broken or displaced seek treatment immediately at UofL School of Dentistry Pediatric Clinic at (502-852-5642).
    • If we are closed go to Norton Children’s Hospital Emergency Dept.
    • If your child lost consciousness, go to Norton Children’s Hospital Emergency Dept. immediately.
  • Permanent teeth that get knocked out should be re-implanted within 5 minutes, then go to UofL School of Dentistry Pediatric Clinic or Norton Children’s Hospital Emergency Dept.
    • Look at the adjacent teeth and make the tooth that was knocked out look like them.
  • Never re-implant baby teeth that are knocked out. You may damage the developing permanent tooth.
  • Loose teeth usually need to be splinted. Seek care at UofL School of Dentistry Pediatric Clinic or the Kosair for Kids Pediatric Clinic or at the Norton Children’s Hospital Emergency Dept.
  • If you have questions about what should be done, call 502-852-5642.