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A knocked-out adult tooth can sometimes be put back, and the sooner it gets care, the better the chance.

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and the first hour matters. Pick the tooth up by the crown, keep it moist, and get to a dental office right away, because an adult tooth can sometimes be put back when it is treated quickly.

Did a fall, a tackle or a stray elbow just send a tooth out of the mouth? An emergency dentist treats exactly this kind of problem, along with severe pain, swelling and broken teeth. Most of the steps need no equipment, only a calm minute and a clear order of events.

Quick Answer

In the first hour after a knocked-out tooth, pick it up by the crown, rinse it briefly if it is dirty, and try to put it back in the socket. If that is not possible, keep it moist in milk or saline and get to a dentist right away. Baby teeth are never put back.

Key Takeaways

  • A knocked-out adult tooth can sometimes be replanted, but baby teeth are never put back.
  • Hold the tooth by the crown, the chewing edge, and avoid scrubbing the root.
  • Keep the tooth moist in milk or saline, and never let it dry out.
  • The longer the wait before treatment, the lower the chance a dentist can fix the tooth.
  • A replanted tooth will most likely need a root canal to remove the cut nerve inside.

Why Does the First Hour Matter So Much?

The first hour matters because a longer wait lowers the chance a dentist can fix the tooth. According to MedlinePlus, a permanent tooth that is knocked out can sometimes be put back in place, and the sooner the tooth is back in the socket or kept moist, the better its chances.

Baby teeth are never replanted, so the steps below are for adult teeth. A child who loses any tooth in an accident should still be seen by a dentist.

How Should the Tooth Be Picked Up?

Pick it up by the crown, which is the white chewing edge that normally shows in the mouth. The root is the part that sat in the socket, and it should stay untouched.

Resist the urge to tidy the tooth. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with water. MedlinePlus says to avoid scraping or wiping the root, brushing the tooth, or cleaning it with alcohol or peroxide. A tooth that arrives a little dirty is better off than one whose root has been scrubbed.

Where Can the Tooth Go Until Treatment?

The first choice is back in the socket. The tooth can be eased into place so it sits level with the neighboring teeth, and biting down gently helps hold it there until the person reaches a dental office. Swallowing the tooth is the risk, so it should only go back in when the person is alert and able to follow instructions.

When that is not possible, the tooth needs a moist container with a small amount of milk or saline. Tap water is not a good choice, and a tooth that dries out has a lower chance of being saved. For an adult, the tooth can also be held inside the cheek, where saliva keeps it moist.

For a young child, use milk instead of the cheek, since a small child could swallow or choke on the tooth.

What About the Bleeding and Pain?

The socket may bleed for a while. Firm pressure with gauze helps control it, and a cold compress against the cheek eases pain.

These steps manage bleeding and pain, and none of them replaces getting to a dental office. The tooth should travel with the patient.

Does a Replanted Tooth Need More Treatment?

Usually, yes. MedlinePlus notes that after a tooth has been replanted, a root canal will most likely be needed to remove the cut nerve inside it. The inside of the tooth is cleaned out and sealed while the root stays in the bone.

The dentist examines the tooth and the surrounding gum and may take X-rays. A replanted tooth may be held steady for a time while the gum heals. The exact plan depends on the injury, which is one more reason to go right away.

What Other Injuries Can Come With a Knocked-Out Tooth?

A knocked-out tooth can come with other injuries, and some of them need a hospital instead of a dental office. If the upper and lower teeth no longer close together, the jaw may be broken, and that needs medical help right away at a dentist’s office or a hospital.

Go to the ER or call 911 if swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding won’t stop. A fever with facial swelling needs care the same day.

How Can Tooth Injuries From Falls and Sports Be Prevented?

Wearing a mouth guard in any contact sport is the standard advice, because falls and sports collisions are two of the common causes of tooth accidents.

Biting on hard foods such as bones, stale bread, tough bagels and unpopped popcorn kernels can also crack or dislodge a tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my child’s tooth is knocked out?

Find out first whether it was a baby tooth or an adult tooth, because baby teeth are never put back. For an adult tooth, use milk instead of the cheek, since a small child could swallow or choke on the tooth. Call a dentist right away either way.

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?

A simple chip that causes no discomfort may not need an emergency visit. The tooth should still be fixed, because sharp edges can cut the lips or tongue. Severe pain, a large break or bleeding that will not stop is a reason to call the dentist the same day.

Does dental insurance cover emergency tooth care?

Most dental insurance plans cover at least a portion of emergency dental care, particularly when treatment is medically necessary. The dental office can review the benefits and explain financing through Cherry, CareCredit or Sunbit for any remaining balance. Calling ahead helps the team prepare for the visit.

About the Author

This post was reviewed by Dr. Mayra Munguia, DMD, who earned her first doctoral degree in dentistry in Mexico and her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. Her advanced training includes implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, and oral conscious sedation, and she is a member of the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association.

  • If you want to learn more about knocked-out teeth, visit our Emergency Dentist in Redlands, CA, page or schedule a consultation.