### What to Do If Your Toddler Chips a Tooth Seeing your toddler chip a tooth can be alarming, but it doesn't have to be a cause for panic. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do next, what to expect, and when to see a dentist. #### Stay Calm First and foremost, take a deep breath and stay calm. Your reaction will help your child stay calm as well. #### Check for Immediate Danger Look to see if your child is having trouble swallowing or breathing. This could indicate that they have swallowed a tooth fragment. If you suspect this, go to the emergency room immediately. #### Find the Tooth Fragment If there’s no immediate danger, try to locate the tooth fragment. If you find it, place it in a clean container with milk or saliva. #### Assess the Damage Once your child has calmed down, check the affected area. If a large piece of the tooth is missing, the nerve might be exposed, making the tooth sensitive to temperature and food. #### When to See a Dentist Even if the chip seems minor, it’s a good idea to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will assess the damage and determine if any treatment is needed. #### Possible Treatments - **No Treatment:** Small chips may not require any special treatment and can be left alone. - **Filling:** For larger chips, a filling material that matches the color of the tooth may be used. - **Crown:** In some cases, a crown may be placed over the tooth to protect it. - **Extraction:** If the tooth is severely damaged, it may need to be extracted, and a space maintainer may be used to ensure proper alignment of future teeth. #### Preventive Measures To prevent future incidents, make dental hygiene a priority. Brush your toddler’s teeth twice a day, floss, and keep up with regular dental appointments. Remember, baby teeth will eventually fall out to make room for adult teeth, so a chipped tooth isn’t necessarily a big deal. However, it’s always best to consult a dentist to ensure there are no complications.