Sports, a nasty fall, poor dental hygiene – all these things can lead to a knocked-out tooth, and it’s never pleasant. Time is of the essence when it comes to saving your tooth, so knowing what to do immediately can make a difference. In some situations, you may be able to gently place a knocked-out permanent tooth back into its socket yourself, giving it the best chance of survival. But it’s of the utmost importance to handle the tooth carefully and seek emergency dental care right away.
Handle the Tooth Carefully
If you find the tooth, pick it up by the crown, the part that is normally visible in your mouth. Avoid touching the root; it contains delicate tissues that are important for successful reattachment.
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline. If those aren’t available, you can briefly rinse it with water. Do not scrub the tooth, scrape the root, or use soap or disinfectants.
Can You Put It Back?
For a permanent tooth, gently attempting to place it back into its socket may be appropriate if you feel comfortable doing so. Make sure it is facing the correct direction and avoid forcing it into place.
Once it is back in the socket, bite gently on clean gauze or cloth to help keep it in position while you seek emergency dental treatment. Avoid shoving or forcing the tooth if it doesn’t easily go back into place.
If you cannot reinsert the tooth, or if you’re unsure how to do it, keep the tooth moist while getting to a dentist. A container of milk can be a practical temporary storage option. Specialized tooth-preservation solutions may also be available.
A knocked-out baby tooth should not be reinserted because doing so could potentially damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Contact your child’s dentist for guidance instead.
Get Dental Care Immediately!
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. The sooner you receive professional care, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Your dentist may reposition and stabilize the tooth with a splint. Additional treatment may be necessary depending on the condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues.
If you successfully place the tooth back into the socket, great! That will give you a much better chance of preserving it. However, you still need to see a dentist immediately. The tooth may require monitoring or additional treatment to address damage to the nerve or supporting structures.
Knowing how to respond to a knocked-out tooth can help you act quickly instead of panicking. Handle the tooth by the crown, keep it moist, avoid damaging the root, and seek professional care immediately. If you’re an athlete, help yourself out and ask your dentist for a custom mouthguard to protect you from an emergency situation.
About the Author
Dr. Sean M. Altenbach is a Jacksonville, FL native and proud to be serving his hometown. His educational background includes a dental degree from the University of Florida, certifications in providing Invisalign and conscious sedation, and completion of a comprehensive dental implant curriculum. Dr. Altenbach and his team offer same-day emergency appointments and comprehensive dental services under one roof if you need urgent care. Contact our office right away at (904) 448-0441 so we can schedule you or you may book through our website.