Knocked Out Tooth: What to Do

Knocked out tooth and not sure what to do? For an adult tooth, pick it up by the white crown, do not touch the root, gently pop it back into the socket if you can and hold it there. If that is not possible, store it in milk and get to a dentist within the hour. Speed changes everything here.

This is one of the few dental problems where minutes really count. An adult tooth that goes back in quickly has a far better chance than one left sitting in a tissue for two hours. So here is the plain version of what to do.

What to do in the first few minutes

Stay calm and find the tooth. Once you have it, work through these steps.

• Hold the tooth by the crown only. The crown is the part you normally chew with. The root is the pointed end and it carries the delicate cells that help it reattach.
• If it is dirty, rinse it for a second or two in milk or saline. Do not scrub it. Do not use soap or tap water for a long soak.
• Try to reposition it in the socket the right way round, then bite gently on a clean cloth to keep it in place.
• If you cannot get it back in, keep it moist. Milk is the top everyday option. Saliva works too, so tucking it inside the cheek can help for an older child or adult who will not swallow it.
• Ring a dentist straight away and say a tooth has been knocked out.

Plain water is a poor storage choice because it damages the root cells. Milk is far kinder to them.

Baby teeth are different

A knocked out baby tooth should not be put back in. Pushing it back can harm the adult tooth forming underneath. If a young child knocks out a baby tooth, keep them calm, control any bleeding with gentle pressure on a clean cloth and phone a dentist for advice. The main worry then is the gum and the tooth next door, not saving the baby tooth itself.

Why the clock matters so much

The cells on the root start to dry out and die once the tooth is out of the mouth. The sooner an adult tooth is back in its socket or sitting in milk, the more of those cells survive. Getting seen within about 30 to 60 minutes gives the strongest outlook, though every case is judged on its own. Even if some time has passed, still bring the tooth in. A dentist can splint it to the neighbouring teeth and check for other damage.

If a tooth cannot be saved, there are ways to replace it later such as a dental implant. That is a conversation for after the emergency though. First job is the tooth in front of you.

Getting seen fast in Geelong

Ring us as soon as it happens on (03) 9111 3553 so we can guide you while you travel and hold a spot. We keep room for urgent problems. You can read more about a same day dentist in Geelong if you need to be seen today. Knocked a tooth out in the evening? Our page on after hours and evening dental appointments in Geelong explains those options. You can also find general details about our dentist in Geelong.

Common questions

Can a knocked out tooth be put back in?

An adult tooth often can, especially when it goes back within the hour and has been kept moist. A dentist will reposition and splint it, then review healing over the following weeks.

Should I store the tooth in water?

No. Water damages the root cells quickly. Milk is the better choice. The inside of the cheek is a reasonable backup for someone who will not swallow it.

What if I cannot find the whole tooth?

Bring any pieces you have and come in anyway. A fragment may have lodged in the lip or gum. A dentist can examine the area and take an x-ray to check.

How much will emergency treatment cost?

Cost depends on what the tooth needs after an exam, so we give a written estimate once the dentist has assessed it. Health fund rebates and payment plans may apply.