Parent’s Guide: Child Hurt a Tooth on a Paddle Board (San Juan Capistrano • Dana Point • Aliso Viejo • Mission Viejo • San Clemente)

San Juan Capistrano, CA

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Need help now?

Same-day appointments are often available. Call (949) 496-5585 or start here: Emergency Dental Care.

We care for families from San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente.

ER or dentist—how to decide (for kids)

• Go to the ER immediately for trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy/unstoppable bleeding, suspected jaw fracture, or head injury/LOC.

• Call an emergency dentist first for most tooth injuries: knocked-out, loose/shifted, cracked/chipped, or broken filling/crown.

• Tetanus check: Harbor/ocean cuts are “dirty” wounds—if it’s been 5+ years since your child’s last tetanus booster, ask a clinician about a booster (CDC guidance).

What to do immediately (beach/harbor/car)

If a tooth is knocked out

• Permanent tooth (adult tooth): Pick it up by the crown (top), not the root. If sandy/dirty, gently rinse with water—no scrubbing/soap. Reinsert into the socket and have your child bite on gauze or a clean cloth. If you can’t reinsert, keep the tooth moist in cold milk or your child’s cheek and come in right away (best within ~30 minutes).

• Baby tooth (primary): Do NOT replant. Control bleeding with gentle pressure; call us.

If a tooth is loose, pushed, or sore to bite

• Don’t force it back. Use a cold compress outside the lip/cheek and soft foods. We may reposition and splint the tooth the same day.

If a tooth is chipped or cracked

• Save any fragments (milk/saline). Rinse gently; use a cold compress; avoid hard/chewy foods.

Lip/cheek/tongue cuts from the board or paddle

• Apply direct pressure with clean gauze for 10–15 minutes. Deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop → urgent care/ER.

Trusted first-aid references:

• ADA — Dental emergencies

• AAE — Knocked-out teeth

• IADT Avulsion guidance

• CDC — Tetanus booster guidance

What changes if your child has braces

• Poking wire/broken bracket: Cover sharp spots with orthodontic wax; if a wire is embedded or cutting, seek help.

• Tooth trauma under braces: Even with intact wires, teeth can be injured. Signs that need dental X-rays: loose tooth, color change, lingering pain, swelling. We’ll advise whether to see us first (tooth injury) or the orthodontist (hardware repair).

How we treat SUP-related dental injuries (kid-specific)

• Comfort first: gentle exam, digital X-rays/3D as needed, and pain control.

• Stabilize/repair:

  • Reposition & splint loose/shifted teeth (then monitor tooth vitality over weeks).

  • Bonding, onlay, or crown for fractures.

  • Pulp therapy / root canal when the nerve is injured (approach depends on your child’s age and root development).

  • Extraction only if non-restorable, with a plan for space maintenance now and Dental Implants when appropriate later.

• Home care while healing: soft foods, chew on the opposite side, cold compresses, OTC pain relievers as directed for your child’s age/health.

Costs, insurance & timing (clear plan before care)

We’ll provide a transparent, insurance-aware estimate and outline the timeline (some cases are one visit; others need staged care).

• Check benefits: Insurance Plans We Accept

• Flexible options: Payment Options

Local context (why we see this often)

We commonly see paddle-board injuries from Dana Point Harbor, Doheny State Beach, Baby Beach, Aliso Beach, and mellow shorebreak days when boards rebound in shallow water. If it happens, follow the steps above and head our way.

Parent FAQs: Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Dental Injury (South Orange County)

• My child’s tooth was knocked out—do I put it back?

  Permanent tooth: yes—gently reinsert or keep in milk/cheek and come in immediately. Baby tooth: do not replant.

• The tooth is loose after a paddle board hit—how urgent is it?

  Same day is best. Early repositioning/splinting improves outcomes and may reduce the chance of needing a root canal.

• What if my child has braces and the wire is poking after the fall?

  Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp areas and call. We’ll advise whether to see us first for the tooth injury or the orthodontist for hardware.

• How can I keep my child comfortable tonight?

  Soft foods, cold compress, and age-appropriate OTC pain relievers as directed. Don’t place aspirin on the gums.

• When can my child get back on the board?

  Minor chips/bonding often allow a quick return once tenderness subsides. After splinting, extractions, or surgery, we’ll give a case-specific plan.

We’re nearby when you need us

Kaban Dental Group — family emergency & restorative care in San Juan Capistrano for Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo & San Clemente.
32124 Paseo Adelanto, Ste. 2, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 • (949) 496-5585
Start here: Emergency Dental Care • Learn about Crowns & Bridges • Root Canals

This article is educational and not a substitute for emergency care. If in doubt—especially with breathing/swallowing trouble, heavy bleeding, or head injury—go to the ER first.