43. What should I do if my child chips a tooth?

Chipping a tooth is common in kids and usually not an emergency, but it’s important to get it checked. Here’s what to do:

-Stay calm and comfort your child — reassurance helps reduce anxiety
-Rinse the mouth gently with warm water to clean the area
-Check for pain or bleeding — apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if needed
-Save any broken pieces of the tooth if possible — your dentist may be able to reattach them
-Contact your pediatric dentist promptly — even small chips can affect the tooth’s structure or lead to sensitivity, and we can determine if treatment like smoothing, bonding, or a crown is needed

Most chipped teeth are easily treated, and early care helps prevent further damage or infection.