First, take a breath.

Injuries to your teeth or mouth can be scary. Whether it’s blood, pain, or something suddenly chipped and dangling—dental trauma hits different.

The important thing is not to panic. There are things you can do to save the tooth, reduce pain, and prevent things from getting worse. Timing matters. So let’s get into it.

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What counts as dental trauma?

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Dental trauma is basically any injury that affects your teeth, gums, lips, or jaw.

This could be:

• A cracked or broken tooth
• A tooth knocked completely out
• A loose or “wobbly” tooth after impact
• A deep cut on your gums or inner lip
• A tooth that’s jammed into the gum instead of out

Some are obvious. Some are sneaky. And sometimes the real damage hides under the surface. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly and get checked.

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The five most common tooth injuries

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Chipped or cracked teeth

You might feel it instantly, or just notice a sharp edge on your tongue. Pain depends on how deep the crack goes.

Tooth knocked out (avulsed)

This is a full “oh no” moment. The entire tooth is out of the socket. But if you act fast, there’s a chance to save it.

Tooth pushed out of position (luxation)

The tooth didn’t fall out, but it moved. Maybe it’s pushed in, out, or to the side. It still counts as trauma.

Fractured roots or jaw

The tooth may look okay on the surface but feel loose or sore. Could be a deeper injury. You’ll need an X-ray to confirm.

Soft tissue injuries

Cuts or punctures in your gums, lips, or cheeks. These can bleed a lot, but they heal quickly with the right care.

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Immediate steps to take (depending on the injury)

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If your tooth is knocked out:

• Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
• If it’s dirty, gently rinse it with water. Don’t scrub.
• Try to place it back in the socket and bite down on a clean cloth.
• If that’s not possible, store it in a container of milk or your own saliva.
• Get to the dentist within 30 minutes if you can. Time is everything.

If your tooth is cracked, broken, or chipped:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling.
• Avoid chewing on that side.
• Call us. You may need a filling, bonding, or a crown.

If your tooth is loose or out of position:

• Don’t wiggle it. Don’t force it.
• Gently bite down to keep it stable.
• Call your dentist ASAP. Repositioning needs to happen quickly.

If you have a cut or bleeding mouth injury:

• Rinse with salt water or a mild antiseptic rinse.
• Apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
• If the bleeding doesn’t stop in 10 minutes, or the cut is deep, get seen.

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When you HAVE to call the dentist ASAP

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Here’s the bottom line: if there’s pain, bleeding, swelling, or a tooth that’s loose, knocked out, or broken—it’s an emergency.

Even if it doesn’t hurt right away, trauma can cause long-term issues like nerve damage, abscesses, or tooth death. Don’t wait it out. Don’t “see how it feels tomorrow.” Just call.

At Dental at the Met, we offer same-day emergency appointments because these things happen fast and need quick action.

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Hurt a tooth? We'll fix it

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No shame. No panic. Just a team who knows exactly what to do when things go sideways.

If you or your kid just had a dental accident, don’t wait. The sooner we see you, the more we can do to save the tooth and prevent bigger problems.

Call usfor a same-day emergency appointment. We’re right here in the Beltline, ready to help you bounce back—fast.

Tooth trauma sucks. But recovery doesn’t have to.