May also be called: Broken Tooth; Knocked-Out Tooth A primary tooth injury is an injury or damage to a child's primary or "baby" tooth. More to Know Primary or "baby" teeth are the temporary, first set of teeth. These teeth begin to grow in a child's mouth before birth, and push through the gums within the first year of life. These teeth help a child's permanent teeth, which come in later, to grow in their proper positions. Normally, primary teeth start to fall out when kids are about 6 years old. Sometimes these teeth are injured or knocked out before that time, usually from a fall. Injuries to the primary teeth are most common between 2 and 3 years of age when kids are very active but still developing their motor skills. The permanent teeth are developing just under the baby teeth in the gums and jawbones. Because primary and permanent teeth are so close together, the health of the permanent tooth is a concern when a baby tooth is injured. It will be important to follow up with the dentist to make sure the permanent tooth is healthy. Keep in Mind Depending on the injury, your child's tooth may require no treatment, smoothing of rough edges, or even removal. If your child is very young, the dentist might suggest a spacer to keep the rest of the teeth in place until the permanent tooth comes in. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles First Aid: Teeth Injuries If your child loses a baby tooth, there's no need to replace it. But if a permanent tooth is dislodged, it's a dental emergency. Here's what to do. Read More Taking Care of Your Teeth The healthier your teeth are, the happier you look. That's why it's important to take great care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Learn more. Read More Your Teeth There's much more to a tooth than meets the eye. This article for kids gives you the inside story. Read More Mouth and Teeth Our mouth and teeth play an important role in our daily lives. Here's a course on the basics - including common problems of the mouth and teeth. Read More Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy Here are the basics about how to care for your child's teeth - and when. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.