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

Chipped teeth are fairly common in children and usually aren’t emergencies, but it’s still important to have them evaluated.

Here’s what you should do:

-Keep your child calm — reassurance can help ease fear or anxiety
-Gently rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area
-Check for pain or bleeding — use light pressure with a clean cloth if needed
-Hold onto any tooth fragments if you can — in some cases, they may be reattached
-Call your pediatric dentist as soon as possible — even minor chips can cause sensitivity or lead to bigger issues if left untreated

The good news is that most chipped teeth are simple to treat, and getting care early helps prevent complications and keeps your child comfortable.