If your child had a fall or hit to the mouth and a tooth now looks shorter, higher, or pushed into the gum, get clear next-step guidance for a possible tooth intrusion injury. Answer a few questions to understand what to do now and when urgent dental care may be needed.
Tell us whether a baby tooth or permanent tooth was pushed up into the gum, or if the tooth looks shorter after an injury. We’ll provide personalized guidance based on your child’s situation.
A tooth intrusion injury happens when a tooth is driven up into the gum after a fall, collision, or other mouth injury. Parents often describe this as a baby tooth pushed up into the gum, a child front tooth pushed into the gum, or a tooth that suddenly looks shorter than before. This can affect baby teeth and permanent teeth, and the right next step depends on which tooth was injured, how far it moved, and whether there is bleeding, pain, or trouble biting.
After a hit or fall, the injured tooth may appear smaller than the matching tooth next to it because it has been pushed upward into the gum.
Parents may notice bleeding, swelling, or tenderness and realize the tooth is not in its normal position after the injury.
This is common, especially with front teeth. The safest next step is to get guidance based on your child’s age, symptoms, and how the tooth looks now.
Do not try to pull, wiggle, or reposition a tooth that has been pushed into the gum. Have your child avoid biting with that area.
If there is blood or dirt, rinse gently with water. A cold compress on the outside of the mouth can help with swelling and discomfort.
Intruded baby tooth treatment and care for an intruded permanent tooth are not always the same. Quick assessment helps determine how urgently your child should be seen.
A baby tooth intrusion emergency may affect the developing permanent tooth underneath, so parents should not assume it will resolve on its own without advice.
When a permanent tooth is pushed into the gum, timing can matter for protecting the tooth and surrounding tissues.
A mild injury may be monitored, while deeper intrusion, severe pain, or trouble closing the mouth may need urgent in-person dental care.
Keep your child from biting on the area, gently rinse the mouth with water, and use a cold compress for swelling. Do not try to pull the tooth down or push it back into place. A prompt dental assessment is important to decide the safest next step.
It can be. A baby tooth intrusion emergency should be evaluated because the injury can affect the tooth itself, the gum, and sometimes the developing permanent tooth underneath. The urgency depends on your child’s pain, bleeding, ability to bite, and how far the tooth appears to have moved.
Common signs include a tooth that looks shorter than before, seems missing but was not knocked out, or appears pushed higher into the gum after a hit to the mouth. There may also be bleeding, swelling, or tenderness.
No. Do not try to reposition a tooth that has been pushed into the gum. Moving it yourself can worsen the injury. The right approach depends on whether it is a baby tooth or permanent tooth and how severe the intrusion is.
Yes. Care can differ significantly between baby teeth and permanent teeth. That is why identifying which tooth was injured is one of the most important first steps when deciding what to do for an intruded tooth in a child.
If your child’s front tooth was pushed into the gum or looks shorter after an injury, answer a few questions for clear, topic-specific assessment guidance and recommended next steps.
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