Author Name: Dr. Sandra Thompson
Ensure your child is safe and sitting upright
Gently guide your child to a warm, stable spot and have them sit down. This keeps them from slipping again on icy surfaces and helps you get a clear look at the injury.
Look for signs of bleeding or lip/gum injury
Chips often happen when a child hits their mouth on ice, playground equipment, or sports gear. Check the inside of the lips, gums, and cheeks for cuts or swelling. Use a clean cloth or tissue to wipe away any blood so you can see the tooth clearly.
Check for dizziness or head impact
Falls on ice or during winter sports can also involve a bump to the head. Ask your child if they feel dizzy, nauseous, or confused. If you notice symptoms of a possible concussion, prioritize medical care before dental treatment.
Identify whether the chip is minor or severe
A small chip may look like a tiny missing corner, while a severe fracture can expose the inner layers of the tooth. Look for:
Avoid letting your child touch the injured tooth
Kids instinctively want to wiggle or poke at chipped teeth. Discourage this, as it can worsen the injury, increase bleeding, or introduce bacteria into the area.
Have your child rinse gently with warm water
Warm water helps clean the area without shocking sensitive enamel. Ask your child to swish slowly and spit — no forceful rinsing, which can irritate the chipped tooth further.
Remove debris without scrubbing the tooth
If you see dirt, food particles, or ice fragments around the tooth, let the warm water loosen and wash them away. Avoid brushing or scrubbing; this can damage exposed dentin or worsen the chip.
Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
Winter falls often cause swelling of the lips or cheeks. Hold a cold compress or wrapped ice pack against the outside of the mouth for 10–15 minutes. This helps reduce inflammation and numbs minor pain without irritating the tooth.
Use gauze for minor bleeding
If there’s light bleeding from the gums or inside the lips, apply a small piece of clean gauze and gently press for a few minutes. Bleeding should slow quickly. Persistent bleeding may indicate a deeper injury that needs immediate professional attention.
Do not use cold water if sensitivity is present
A chipped tooth may react painfully to cold temperatures — especially during winter. If your child flinches or complains when drinking or rinsing, avoid cold water and stick with warm, gentle rinsing until you can reach the dentist.
Pick up fragments and rinse gently with water
Look carefully around the area where the fall happened. Chips often land on snow, ice, clothing, or the ground. When you find a piece, handle it gently and give it a quick rinse with clean water to remove dirt or debris.
Store fragments in milk or saline solution
Place the tooth fragment in a small container filled with milk or a saline (saltwater) solution. These liquids help keep the tooth material hydrated and preserve the cells, increasing the chances that the dentist can bond it back onto the tooth.
Never scrub or disinfect the pieces
Avoid using soap, alcohol, peroxide, or any disinfectants on the fragment. Scrubbing or sanitizing can damage the surface of the tooth, making reattachment impossible.
Bring the pieces to the dentist for possible bonding
Even if the chip looks tiny, dentists prefer to see it. They can often use the fragment to restore the tooth’s original shape and color, especially for front teeth. Always bring the container with you to your emergency dental appointment.
Take a photo of the injury if you're unsure about severity
If you can’t find the fragment or you’re not sure how serious the chip is, take a clear photo of the tooth. This helps the dentist assess the injury quickly and plan the right treatment while you’re on your way.
Explain when and how the injury happened
Tell the dental team the exact circumstances: whether your child slipped on ice, fell while sledding, or was hit during a winter sport. This helps the dentist understand the potential force of the impact and check for hidden injuries.
Describe the size of the chip and any sensitivity
Mention whether the chip is small or large, if any dentin or pinkish pulp is visible, and whether your child feels pain when breathing cold air, drinking, or biting down. These details help the dentist determine the urgency of the visit.
Ask if an emergency appointment is needed
Some chips can wait a day, while others require immediate care — especially if the crack is deep or the tooth is causing significant discomfort. The dentist will guide you based on the symptoms you describe.
Follow any temporary care instructions
Your dentist may recommend covering sharp edges with dental wax, limiting chewing on the injured side, or avoiding cold foods and drinks until your child is seen. Follow these instructions closely to keep the tooth stable.
Know that early evaluation prevents complications
Prompt dental care helps avoid infections, nerve exposure, worsening cracks, and long-term enamel damage. Seeing a pediatric dentist right away ensures your child’s smile is protected and heals properly.
Avoid cold air and cold drinks
Cold temperatures can trigger sharp pain in a chipped tooth. Encourage your child to stay indoors as much as possible, or cover their mouth with a scarf if they must go outside. Skip icy drinks, smoothies, and anything that could shock sensitive enamel.
Stick to soft foods that won’t irritate the tooth
Offer foods that are easy to chew, such as yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, pasta, or warm soups. Avoid crunchy snacks, sticky candies, and foods that require biting down with the front teeth.
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever if advised
If your child is uncomfortable, your dentist or pediatrician may recommend an age-appropriate pain reliever. Follow dosing instructions carefully and never apply aspirin directly to the gums — it can cause irritation or burns.
Keep the area clean but avoid brushing the chipped spot
Maintaining oral hygiene is important, but brushing over a chipped tooth can make the injury worse. Have your child brush the rest of their mouth gently while avoiding the injured area. A warm-water rinse after meals helps keep food particles away.
Encourage breathing through the nose in cold weather
Breathing through the mouth exposes the chipped tooth to cold air, which can heighten sensitivity. Remind your child to breathe through their nose outdoors and to keep their lips closed when possible.
Severe pain or visible nerve exposure
If your child is experiencing intense, throbbing pain or you can see a pink or reddish area inside the tooth, the nerve may be exposed. This requires urgent treatment to prevent infection and save the tooth.
Sharp edges cutting the tongue or cheeks
A chipped tooth can leave behind jagged edges that easily tear soft tissue. If your child keeps cutting their tongue, lips, or inner cheeks, an emergency dental visit is necessary to smooth or protect the tooth before further injury occurs.
Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop
While minor gum bleeding is common after a fall, heavy bleeding that continues after applying gentle pressure for several minutes may indicate a deeper laceration or trauma that needs immediate evaluation.
A tooth that becomes loose or discolored
If the tooth feels wobbly, shifts when touched, or starts turning gray or dark, it may have sustained internal damage. These symptoms can signal root trauma, which often requires urgent care to prevent long-term complications.
Damage caused by a fall or head injury
Winter slips and sports injuries can involve more than just a chipped tooth. If your child hit their head, experienced dizziness, or has any signs of a concussion, seek medical attention first — then follow up with the dentist for dental trauma care.
Bonding small chips with resin
For minor chips, the dentist may apply a tooth-colored resin to rebuild the missing piece. This bonding material blends naturally with your child’s tooth and restores its shape and function. It’s a fast, painless procedure ideal for front-tooth injuries.
Smoothing sharp edges for comfort
If the chip is small and not deep, the dentist may simply smooth the rough edges. This prevents cuts to the tongue and cheeks and helps your child feel more comfortable—especially when cold winter air or warm holiday foods hit the tooth.
Using fillings or crowns for larger breaks
When a larger portion of the tooth is missing, the dentist may need to use a filling or a pediatric crown. These treatments protect the remaining tooth structure, prevent sensitivity, and ensure the tooth stays strong during eating and winter activities.
X-rays to check for deeper damage
Even if the chip looks small, the impact from a winter fall can cause cracks inside the tooth or injury to the root. X-rays help the dentist identify hidden damage, including trauma to the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Sensitivity treatments if cold weather triggers pain
Cold temperatures often worsen tooth sensitivity after a chip. Pediatric dentists may recommend fluoride varnish, desensitizing sealants, or protective coatings to help strengthen the enamel and reduce winter sensitivity.