If you took a hit to the face while playing a contact sport or taking a fall and lost a permanent tooth, acting fast is more important than you may realize. A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency because prompt action can increase your chances of saving the tooth.
First, find the tooth if it is safe to do so. Pick it up by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, gently rinse it. Do not scrub it, use soap, wrap it in a tissue, or let it dry out. If you can, gently place the tooth back into its socket and bite on clean gauze or a cloth to hold it in place. If you cannot put it back in, keep it moist in milk, saline, or saliva and call an emergency dentist immediately.
Call 911 or go to the emergency department first for uncontrolled bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, or if you think you may have inhaled the tooth. Otherwise, seek emergency dental care right away.
Knocked-Out Tooth First Aid
Here are some immediate first steps to take after a knocked-out tooth.
First, find the tooth if it is safe to do so. Grasp it only by the crown and do not touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly and gently with milk, saline, or clean running water. Do not scrub the tooth, use soap, or attempt to dry it.
Next, try to gently reinsert the tooth back into the socket. Do not force it. Then, bite down gently on a clean cloth to keep the tooth stable.
If you can’t put it back in, keep the tooth moist, either in milk, with saliva, or using a tooth-preservation kit so it doesn’t dry out. Avoid storing it in tap water. You can also keep it inside the mouth between your cheek and gum. Bring it with you to an emergency dentist right away.
Call emergency services or go to an emergency department first if you have uncontrolled bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, or if you think you might have inhaled the tooth. Otherwise, an emergency dentist is the appropriate place to go as soon as possible.
The American Association of Endodontists recommends acting within 30 minutes of knocking out your tooth for the best chance of saving it. Even if more than an hour has passed, seek emergency dental care immediately, as replantation may still be possible. However, the likelihood of a successful long-term outcome decreases when the tooth has been dry for more than 60 minutes.
What an Emergency Dentist Can Do for You
What can an emergency dentist do for a knocked-out tooth?
As an emergency dentist in Emeryville, Dr. Magno can evaluate the injury and, when appropriate, reposition a knocked-out permanent tooth. She can create a follow-up plan to give the tooth the best possible chance of healing. Even if you’ve already placed the tooth back into the socket, you should still see a dentist urgently to confirm its position and address any damage to the surrounding bone, gums, or adjacent teeth.
Dr. Magno may take dental X-rays to confirm the tooth’s position and look for root, bone, or socket fractures.
If you haven’t reinserted the permanent tooth, Dr. Magno may gently place it back into the socket. The goal is to preserve the tooth and support healing of the tissues that attach it to the jawbone.
If you reinserted the tooth yourself, it may be slightly out of position. Dr. Magno can carefully correct its placement and confirm alignment clinically and with X-rays. Once it is in place, Dr. Magno might be able to stabilize the tooth with a thin, flexible splint. This holds the injured tooth and adjacent teeth.
If the tooth cannot be saved, Dr. Magno may later be able to replace it with a dental implant and crown.
Call for Emergency Dental Care
A knocked-out permanent tooth may be saved, but time is of the essence. Whether you were able to put the tooth back or you have it stored in milk or saliva, contact an emergency dentist immediately for evaluation and stabilization. Dr. Magno can examine the injured area and take X-rays. If you put the tooth back in, she can confirm the tooth is properly positioned and stabilize it with a splint. If the tooth cannot be saved, she can explain replacement options after the injury has been fully evaluated and treated.
Dr. Magno is an emergency dentist in Emeryville with over 25 years of experience helping patients when life takes an unexpected turn. Call (510) 591-0091 for immediate care. For less urgent appointments, you can reach out via our online contact form.
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