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Kids Health Info

Mouth injuries and dislodged teeth

  • Key points

    • A mouth injury includes any damage to the teeth, tongue, gums, lips, jaw or other tissue inside the mouth.
    • Your child may need medical or dental treatment depending on how serious the mouth injury is.
    • If your child’s adult tooth falls out because of an injury, try to put it back in the socket. If you are not sure whether it is an adult or baby tooth, or you cannot put an adult tooth back in the mouth, keep it in a container with some milk or your child’s saliva, then take your child to a dentist or hospital immediately.
    • Call an ambulance (000) if your child is having trouble breathing, they are swallowing a lot of blood, or their tongue or throat is very swollen.

    What is a mouth injury?

    A mouth injury is any damage to the teeth, tongue, gums, lips, jaw or other tissue inside the mouth.

    Some common causes of mouth injuries in children are:

    • Falls
    • Head or face knocks
    • Outdoor activities like quad biking
    • Objects in the mouth.

    If your child gets a mouth injury, they may need medical treatment depending on how serious it is.

    Sometimes, mouth injuries can cause teeth to loosen, fall out, or push into the gum. If your child loses an adult tooth from a mouth injury, you may be able to save the tooth with the right first aid. However, you must act fast – the chance of saving a tooth reduces a lot after 30 minutes.

    Signs and symptoms of a mouth injury

    If your child has a mouth injury, they may:

    • bleed from the mouth, lips or gums
    • have pain around their mouth
    • have a loose, broken or dislodged tooth
    • be swollen around their lips or jaw
    • have trouble biting their teeth together
    • not be able to open or close their mouth.

    First aid for dislodged teeth and mouth injuries

    Dislodged teeth

    If your child has lost a tooth from a mouth injury and you can find it, hold it by the crown (the visible part when the tooth is in the mouth) and try not to touch the root as it can get damaged easily.

    If your child loses an adult tooth

    1. Try putting the tooth back in the socket, making sure it is facing the right way (crown-side facing out). If it is dirty, quickly rinse the tooth in milk, saline (salt water) or regular water first.
    2. Fold a piece of aluminium foil in half and place it over the tooth and gum to hold it in place. The foil should be large enough to cover the teeth on either side.
    3. Ask your child to bite down on the foil gently.
    4. Take your child to a dentist or hospital immediately to increase the chance of saving the tooth.

    If you cannot get your child’s adult tooth back in:

    1. Rinse the tooth quickly in warm water if it is dirty, then store it in a clean container with some milk. You could put it in a container with some of your child's saliva if they are allergic to milk. Do not store the tooth in tap water or leave it dry.
    2. Take your child to a dentist or hospital immediately.

    If your child loses a baby tooth, it cannot be replanted in the mouth. The gum should heal over time, and an adult tooth should grow in its place. However, you should still take them to see a dentist.

    Cuts and wounds

    Most mouth cuts and wounds will bleed. This is because there are a lot of blood vessels in the mouth. The good news is these areas also heal fast.

    If your child gets a minor mouth injury:

    1. Wash your hands with soap, then get a sterile dressing or clean towel and push it firmly against the bleeding area. For cut lips, you can use a damp tissue.
    2. Continue pressing on the wound until the bleeding stops.
    3. Take your child to a dentist or doctor.

    If your child is having trouble breathing, they are swallowing a lot of blood, or their tongue or throat is very swollen, call an ambulance (000) immediately or take them to the nearest hospital Emergency department.

    Broken teeth

    Make an urgent appointment with your child's dentist if they have broken a tooth.

    Encourage your child to keep drinking water while they are waiting for their dentist appointment – especially if they are not eating food.

    When to get help

    Call an ambulance (000) if:
    • your child is having trouble breathing.
    • your child has a lot of blood going down their throat.
    • your child’s tongue or throat is very swollen, and it seems to be affecting their breathing.
    • your child has lost consciousness or ‘blacked out.’

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child has a dislodged tooth or teeth.
    • your child has a broken tooth or teeth.
    • your child has bleeding or swollen lips, tongue or gums.

    See a doctor or dentist if:
    • your child's tooth has come out, but you cannot find it.

    Look after your child at home if:
    • their mouth injury is minor and is not causing them a lot of pain.
    • their mouth is not bleeding or swollen, and they have not lost any teeth.

    Common questions about mouth injuries

    I could not get my child’s tooth back in. How long do I have to save the tooth?

    The best chance of saving your child’s tooth is to get them to a dentist or hospital within 30 minutes. However, the sooner you can take your child to a dentist or hospital, the better – it is usually worth trying to replant the tooth.

    Can I use teething gel to help numb the pain in my child’s mouth after an injury?

    Teething gel is not likely to be strong enough to help with your child’s pain from a mouth injury. You can also try giving your child simple pain relief medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen.

    I think my child has a tooth pushed into their gum from an injury. What should I do?

    If you think your child has a tooth pushed into their gum, you should take them to see a dentist. They may need an x-ray and treatment.

    Does my child need a mouthguard for sports?

    A mouthguard is a great tool to protect your child’s teeth, lips and jaw during sports. If your child is aged six or above and plays a contact sport or a sport that could lead to high-impact falls, consider getting them a mouthguard. Some common sports where mouthguards are recommended for children are AFL, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts and basketball.

    If you are not sure whether your child needs a mouthguard, speak to their sports club, coach or dentist for advice.

    For more information

    Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Dentistry department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed June 2025

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.



Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.