What to Do If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out
If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, act quickly and handle the tooth carefully. In many cases the tooth can be saved, especially if it is put back in place or kept moist and you reach a dentist within about an hour. Stay calm, find the tooth, and avoid touching the root.
Find the tooth and handle it by the crown
Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you normally see above the gum, not by the root. The root carries delicate tissue that helps the tooth reattach, and touching or scrubbing it can damage that tissue.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or clean water. Do not scrub it, use soap, or dry it with a cloth. Do not wrap it in dry gauze or paper towel.
If you can, try to put the tooth back in its socket right away. Hold it by the crown, line it up the right way, and push it gently into place. Then bite down softly on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it there while you get to the dentist. If it will not go back in easily, do not force it.
Keep the tooth moist if it cannot go back in
If the tooth cannot be placed back in the socket, keeping it moist is the next best thing. The best option is a small container of cold milk, which helps preserve the tissue on the root. A commercial tooth preservation kit works well too, if one is available.
If milk is not available, an older child or adult can hold the tooth inside the cheek, where saliva keeps it moist. This is not safe for a young child, who might swallow it. Plain water is a last resort for a very short time. Do not put the tooth in ice.
What is normal and what is not
Bleeding from the socket is normal after a tooth is knocked out. Pressing clean gauze gently over the socket for 15 to 20 minutes usually slows it down. Some soreness and swelling around the area are also expected in the hours afterward.
A knocked-out permanent tooth is always urgent, even if the pain seems mild at first. It is not something to wait on until the next day. The sooner a dentist can check the tooth and the socket, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Call for emergency help right away if there is heavy bleeding that will not stop, a jaw injury, or a head injury along with the tooth injury. If the person lost consciousness or has trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the emergency room first.
What about a baby tooth?
A knocked-out baby tooth is handled differently. Do not try to put a baby tooth back in the socket, since that can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath it. Still call the dentist promptly so the mouth can be checked for other injuries.
If you are not sure whether it is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, keep it moist in milk and bring it with you.
What to do at home while you head to the dentist
Control bleeding with gentle pressure from clean gauze. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek for 15 minutes at a time can help with swelling. Over-the-counter pain relief, used as directed, can help while you are on your way. Avoid eating on the injured side until the tooth has been checked.
At the dental office, the dentist will examine the tooth and socket and take an X-ray to check for damage. If the tooth can be replanted, it is usually splinted to the neighboring teeth while it heals. Sometimes a root canal is needed later, so follow-up visits matter.
When to call the dentist
Call the dentist right away for any knocked-out permanent tooth. This is an emergency, and most dental offices will make room for it. Outside office hours, call the office’s emergency line and follow the instructions there.
If you are in the Murphy area and a permanent tooth has been knocked out, you can call Murphy Dental & Implant Center at (972) 836-0108 right away. Tell the office when the injury happened and whether the tooth is back in place or in milk.
This post is general information only and is not medical advice. For a knocked-out tooth, contact a dentist immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
The best chance is within about an hour, and sooner is better. A tooth put back in place quickly or kept moist in milk has a much better chance than one that dries out. Even after an hour, still bring the tooth and call the dentist, since it may still be possible to help.
Should I put the tooth back in myself?
Yes, if it is a permanent tooth and you can do it gently. Hold it by the crown, rinse it briefly if dirty, and push it into the socket without forcing it. If it will not go in easily, keep it in cold milk and get to the dentist right away.
What if the tooth is cracked or broken in pieces?
Bring all the pieces with you, kept moist if possible, and still call the dentist promptly. A broken tooth may not be replantable, but the dentist needs to check the remaining tooth and socket. Do not throw the pieces away before the visit.
