What Do I Do When My Tooth Is Knocked Out?

Emergency Dental Advice

Losing a tooth does not necessarily mean you’ve lost it for good. If you act quickly, there’s a good chance the tooth can be saved. If your tooth is knocked out, it is important that you visit the dentist as soon as possible after the incident to minimise any permanent damage.

Please note, if the accident victim shows any signs of head injury, unconsciousness, nausea, or persistent headaches, they should be first evaluated for their head injury by emergency medical personnel. Once a head injury is ruled out, you can then proceed to the dentist for treatment.

I am an adult and I’ve knocked out my tooth. What do I do?

Follow these steps:
If the tooth is clean: place the tooth in the socket making sure the tooth is facing the right way around. The tooth should be gripped by the crown, which is the part normally visible in the mouth, not by the root.

• If the tooth is dirty: rinse in milk or have the patient gently suck clean before replanting the tooth back into the socket. Time is critical, the earlier the tooth is replaced the greater the chance of it being saved.
• Bite gently on a soft cloth to hold the tooth in place until you can get to a Dentist. If this is not possible, Aluminium foil can be used to hold the tooth in place. 
• If the tooth can’t be replaced: wrap tooth in plastic wrap or store in milk and make your way to the dentist as soon as possible. If soft tissue remnants remain on the tooth, do not remove it.

My child has knocked out a baby tooth. What do I do? 

Follow these steps:
Do not place the tooth back in the socket, baby teeth are not usually re-planted.

• Visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will make sure that the whole tooth came out intact and that there are no fragments left behind. They will also check for other trauma to the mouth or jaw.

For urgent care or further information, contact your local Pacific Smiles Dental Centre