One moment your child is rounding the bases at a Little League game, and the next there is a scraped chin, a chipped tooth, and a lot of tears. Dental injuries have a way of happening without warning, whether it is a fall from a bike, a collision on the playground, or a stray ball during a game. When they do, getting prompt care can make a significant difference in protecting the injured tooth.
That is why our Sunnyvale team keeps room in the schedule for dental emergencies. At Smile Craft Dental, we understand that a dental injury rarely happens at a convenient time, so we make every effort to see patients with chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth as quickly as possible and help them get the care they need.
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Staying calm in the first few minutes after a dental injury can make a real difference in how the tooth heals. If a permanent tooth has been knocked out entirely, pick it up by the crown rather than the root, rinse it gently if it is dirty, and try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk until you can get to our office. Milk works well as a temporary storage solution because it helps protect the delicate tissue on the tooth’s root, giving our team a better chance of saving it once you arrive.
Acting quickly gives the tooth its best chance, so please call our Sunnyvale office right away rather than waiting to see if the discomfort passes on its own. If the injury reaches the nerve, we may recommend root canal therapy to relieve pain and give the tooth a real chance at staying in place.
Not every dental injury announces itself right away. A tooth can look completely normal after a fall or a hit to the face and still have a hairline crack or nerve damage that only becomes obvious days or weeks later as sensitivity or discoloration sets in. This is one reason we recommend a checkup after any significant impact to the mouth, even if nothing looks visibly wrong at the time.
Dental injuries are more common than many people realize, and they are not limited to contact sports. Research published by the National Library of Medicine found that at least 32% of athletes in full-contact sports experience some type of dental injury, with ice hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby, and martial arts carrying some of the highest risk. Even so, sports are only one piece of the picture.
Falls, bike accidents, and playground mishaps send plenty of children to the dentist each year with chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth, which is why we encourage protective gear for more activities than families often expect. Adults can experience the same types of injuries after a car accident, a workplace incident, or even a slip and fall. Sometimes the cause is as simple as biting down on an unexpectedly hard piece of food, especially if a tooth has already been weakened by decay or an older restoration. No matter how the injury happens, seeking care as soon as possible gives us the best chance to relieve your pain and preserve the tooth.
The right treatment depends on the type of injury and how deeply the tooth has been affected. After examining the area and taking any necessary images, we will explain what we found and recommend the option that best protects your long-term oral health. Treatment may include:
Before moving forward with any procedure, we will explain our recommendations, answer your questions, and discuss what recovery typically looks like. Whenever possible, our goal is to preserve your natural tooth, but if a tooth cannot be saved, we will help you understand your options for restoring your smile, including a dental crown when it is appropriate.
Once the immediate injury has been treated, it is worth thinking about how to reduce the risk of another one. A properly fitted custom sport guard provides significantly better protection than a generic over-the-counter version because it is made specifically for your child’s smile, allowing it to fit comfortably and stay securely in place during sports and other high-impact activities.
Prevention also means being prepared. Knowing where to turn before an emergency happens can make an already stressful situation much easier to manage. Save our contact information somewhere easy to find, whether that is in your phone or on the refrigerator, so you can reach us quickly if a dental injury occurs. And if a tooth cannot be saved despite prompt treatment, we will walk you through your options, including tooth extractions and the next steps for restoring your smile.
The cost of treating traumatic dental injuries depends on the type and extent of damage. We accept most major dental insurance plans and offer flexible payment options to help make treatment affordable. Call (650) 629-3117 to schedule a consultation and receive a personalized cost estimate.
When a dental injury happens, getting the right care quickly can make all the difference. Dr. Janice Chou and our team have years of experience treating patients of all ages at our Redwood City and Sunnyvale offices, and our Sunnyvale location is equipped with advanced imaging to help us evaluate injuries and recommend treatment as quickly as possible. Throughout your visit, we’ll explain what we find, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about the next steps.
If your family is dealing with a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth, don’t wait to seek care. Contact us through our contact form, and our team will do everything we can to see you as soon as possible.
Dr. Chou and our Sunnyvale team bring a cosmetic dentist's eye for color, shape, and detail to every treatment.
Lead Dentist · Smile Craft Dental Sunnyvale
Dr. Chou works closely with Dr. Brendon Nguyen and each patient to design a personalized smile plan that matches their goals and natural smile. Our team is proud to offer Spanish-speaking staff for patients who are more comfortable communicating in their native language. Her approach is straightforward: explain everything clearly, listen carefully, and never recommend a treatment that isn’t the right fit.
See what patients say about their experience at Smile Craft Dental.
Smile Craft Dental is a family dental practice serving Sunnyvale and the surrounding South Bay. We accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible payment options to make quality dental care accessible, with Spanish-speaking staff available to assist patients who prefer communicating in Spanish. If you are ready to explore cosmetic dentistry, we make it easy to get started — contact us to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a confident smile.
Sunnyvale, CA
Serving the South Bay and surrounding communities