A knocked-out tooth (avulsed tooth) is a true dental emergency. Acting quickly and correctly can mean the difference between saving your natural tooth and facing costly replacements like bridges or implants. Here’s what you need to do the moment a tooth leaves its socket.
1. Stay Calm and Find the Tooth
Locate the tooth immediately and pick it up by the crown (the white part).
Never touch the root. The root’s surface is lined with fragile cells vital for reattachment.
2. Clean the Tooth (Gently!)
Rinse carefully. Hold the tooth under a gentle stream of cool water or rinse it in clean saliva for no more than 10 seconds.
Avoid scrubbing or chemicals. Do not use soap, alcohol, or brush—it can destroy the root’s healing cells.
3. Try to Reinsert the Tooth
Align the tooth. Position it in the socket the same way it grew.
Press gently. Push it in until it seats snugly.
Stabilize. Bite on a clean piece of gauze or cloth for 15–20 minutes to hold it in place.
Tip: If reinsertion feels too uncomfortable or you’re unsure about alignment, skip to storage.
4. Proper Storage If You Can’t Reinsert
Milk is best. Submerge the tooth in pasteurized milk.
Saline solution or saliva. A saline soak works well; if neither is available, tuck the tooth inside your cheek (if you’re conscious and can safely keep it there).
Do NOT wrap in tissue or let it dry. Dry time kills the cells needed for successful reimplantation.
5. Rush to Your Dentist—Stat
60‑minute window. Aim to reach a dental clinic within an hour; every minute counts.
Call en route. Alert your dentist so they can prepare for emergency treatment.
Manage pain and swelling. Apply a cold pack to your cheek in 15‑minute intervals and take ibuprofen if needed (avoid aspirin, which may thin the blood).
6. What to Expect at the Dental Office
Examination and X‑rays. The dentist will check for root or bone fractures.
Reimplantation and splinting. If viable, they will reinsert the tooth and stabilize it with a small splint for 1–2 weeks.
Follow‑up care. You may need a root canal later to protect against infection and promote healing.
Alternative options. If the tooth cannot be saved, discuss bridges, implants, or partial dentures.
7. Prevention and Preparedness
Wear a mouthguard. Custom-fitted guards in contact sports reduce dental injury risk by up to 60%.
Keep a tooth‑storage kit. Store a small container of saline or milk in your first-aid kit.
