It happens in a heartbeat: a tumble off the scooter, a collision at Saturday sport, a fall in the playground — and suddenly your child is in tears, holding their mouth, and you’re not sure what to do first. Few things are more distressing for a parent than a dental emergency, precisely because they always arrive unexpectedly.
Take a breath — help is closer than you think. At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we understand how upsetting these situations are for both children and parents, and our caring team provides gentle, prompt and effective emergency dental care to relieve pain, prevent further damage and help your child feel comfortable and at ease.
Let’s go through the most common childhood dental emergencies, what to do in the moment, and how we can help.
What counts as a children’s dental emergency?
Common dental emergencies in children include:
Knocked-out or displaced teeth
The classic sporting or playground injury.
Chipped or broken teeth
Often from falls or biting something unexpectedly hard.
Toothache
Sudden or severe pain that won’t settle.
Facial swelling and dental infections
Always worth taking seriously.
Bleeding after an injury
Including trauma to the lips, cheeks or gums.
Early assessment is important, as timely treatment can often save a tooth and reduce the risk of long-term complications down the track.
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?
For a knocked-out permanent (adult) tooth, every minute counts. Hold the tooth carefully by the crown — never the root — and gently rinse it if it’s dirty. If possible, place it back into the socket; if not, store it in cold milk and seek dental care straight away.
For a baby tooth, the advice is different: baby teeth are not replanted, as doing so risks damaging the developing adult tooth underneath. So if your child has knocked out a baby tooth, there’s no need to panic — but a dental appointment is still needed to check the area and make sure all is well beneath the surface.
When should I seek emergency medical care instead?
If your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing, or has significant facial swelling following a dental injury or infection, seek emergency medical attention immediately — go straight to hospital. Severe toothache, facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or injuries affecting the mouth or jaw should also be assessed as soon as possible.
How does Molonglo Dental Surgery care for children in an emergency?
We prioritise children’s dental emergencies and aim to see little patients as quickly as possible — call us first on 02 6287 1222 and we’ll guide you from there. During evenings and weekends we keep extended hours, and after-hours care can be arranged for genuinely urgent cases (additional fees apply), so it’s always best to phone ahead.
Once your child is with us, our experienced team focuses on reassurance first: relieving pain, preserving teeth wherever possible, and providing compassionate care tailored to each child’s needs. We take the time to explain treatment to both children and parents — and with touches like our Kids Dino Dental Chair, we do everything we can to make a stressful situation calm, and even a little bit fun.
If your child has a dental emergency, call Molonglo Dental Surgery first on 02 6287 1222. We’re here for families across Coombs, Molonglo Valley and surrounding suburbs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Losing a permanent tooth at an early age can lead to a lack of space and crowding as other teeth drift, which increases the likelihood of needing orthodontic treatment later. Prompt assessment gives us the best chance of managing the space well.
Yes, it’s possible — but it’s not normal, and it requires urgent attention. Causes can include a fracture of the tooth, gum disease or grinding. A prompt visit to our Coombs practice gives the best chance of saving the tooth.
Missing adult teeth — known as hypodontia — can be associated with conditions such as ectodermal dysplasia, Down syndrome and Van der Woude syndrome, among others. If adult teeth seem slow to appear, a simple X-ray can tell us exactly what’s happening beneath the gums.
Yes. A loose permanent tooth can often be saved if treatment is prompt and the underlying cause is treatable — typically by splinting the tooth to its neighbours as a temporary measure until a more permanent solution is in place. Speed matters here, so don’t wait and see.
Yes. Bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause wobbly front teeth because of the excessive, repeated pressure it places on them. If you’ve heard grinding at night, mention it at your child’s next visit — early habits are much easier to manage.
Yes, by arrangement. We prioritise children’s emergencies during our extended evening and weekend hours, and genuinely urgent after-hours cases can be arranged (call-out fees apply). Always phone us first on 02 6287 1222 so we can advise the best course of action for your child.
It depends on what’s needed — from a simple check and reassurance through to splinting or restoring a tooth. We’ll always explain costs clearly before treatment, we accept most health funds, and payment plans through AfterPay and Ezi-Pay help take the sting out of unexpected bills.