Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency that requires urgent attention. (A primary or “baby” tooth that has been knocked out should be left alone.)

If you can follow these emergency steps as soon as the tooth has been knocked out, your chances improve dramatically that the tooth can be saved and reinserted.

  • Pick up the tooth by the crown (top of the tooth) . Do not touch the root or roots.
  • Place a washcloth or towel in the sink to keep the tooth from falling down the drain. Rinse the tooth very gently to clean it but do not scrub it or remove any tissue attached to it.
  • Gently place the tooth back into the socket and hold it carefully in place while trying to bite down.
  • If you are unable to place the tooth back in the socket, keep it moist at all times. The best option is to place it in a cup of milk or use a tooth-preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance, such as Save A Tooth.

Call us immediately since getting to the dentist quickly with your tooth—in addition to following the steps outlined above—are critical to saving it.

The longer you wait to return the tooth to its socket, the lower the chances of re-implantation.