If your child have a broken tooth, see your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can figure out if the break was caused by a cavity or trauma, and if the tooth's nerve is in danger. A damaged nerve usually will require nerve treatment.

Until you get to the dentist's office:

• Have your child rinse mouth well with warm water.

• Apply pressure with a piece of gauze on any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If this doesn’t work, use a tea bag with pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.

• Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.

• If you can't get to your dentist right away, cover the part of the tooth that is in your mouth with temporary dental cement. You can find this at a drugstore.

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Seeing a dentist as soon as possible will decrease chance of complication later.