A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. Handle it by the crown, keep it moist and get to a dentist immediately. Fast, careful action can improve the chance that the tooth can be saved. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back into the socket.
What to do right away
- Find the tooth and touch only the crown. The crown is the part normally visible in the mouth. Avoid scraping or holding the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it gently. Use milk or clean water briefly. Do not scrub, use soap, dry it or wrap it in tissue.
- For a permanent tooth, consider gentle reinsertion. If the person is alert and you can identify the tooth as permanent, place it in the socket in the correct direction without force. Have the person hold it with gentle pressure.
- If reinsertion is not possible, keep it moist. Use cold milk or an ADA-accepted tooth-preservation product. For a cooperative adult, the tooth may be held between the cheek and gum, but never use this method for a young child or anyone at risk of swallowing it.
- Call a dentist and leave immediately. Tell the office when the injury occurred and whether there are cuts, bleeding, jaw pain or other injuries.
Baby tooth or permanent tooth?
Do not reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth. Reinsertion could damage the developing permanent tooth. A dentist should still check the child for socket, lip, gum or jaw injury. If you are uncertain whether a tooth is primary or permanent, keep it moist and call a dentist for instructions rather than forcing it into place.
A permanent front tooth commonly erupts around age six or seven, but eruption timing varies. Bring the tooth and any fragments to the visit.
What the dentist may do
The dentist will examine the socket and surrounding teeth, take X-rays when appropriate and evaluate for jaw or soft-tissue injury. If the tooth can be replanted, it may be stabilized to neighboring teeth with a flexible splint. Follow-up is important because the tooth’s nerve and root-supporting tissues may need additional treatment and monitoring.
When a dental injury also needs emergency medical care
Go to an emergency room for loss of consciousness, vomiting after a head injury, suspected jaw fracture, heavy bleeding that will not stop, breathing difficulty or other serious trauma. A dentist manages the tooth; a hospital evaluates potentially life-threatening or broader facial injuries.
What not to do
- Do not pick up the tooth by the root.
- Do not scrub away attached tissue.
- Do not let the tooth dry out.
- Do not store it in plain water for an extended period.
- Do not delay the call while waiting to see whether pain develops.
Common questions
Can a knocked-out tooth always be saved?
No. The outcome depends on the injury, how long the tooth was out, how it was handled and stored, root development and surrounding damage. Immediate care gives the dentist the best opportunity to help.
What if I can only find part of the tooth?
Keep every fragment moist and bring it with you. A broken tooth follows a different treatment pathway than a fully avulsed tooth, but the pieces may still help with diagnosis or repair.
Should I go to a dentist or the ER?
For an isolated knocked-out tooth, call a dentist immediately. Choose the ER first for serious head, facial or jaw trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness or breathing problems.
Explore more dental emergency guides and our guide to broken and chipped teeth.
Need a dentist today?
Star Dental is open seven days a week and reserves time for urgent dental problems. Same-day appointments may be available. Call 303-222-1414 so our team can understand what happened and help plan the right visit.