Knocked-out tooth: what to do immediately
A knocked-out adult tooth should be treated as an emergency. The best chance of saving the tooth is often when treatment happens within the first 30 to 60 minutes, but you should still seek urgent dental care even if more time has passed.
A tooth can be knocked out during sport, a fall, an accident, a collision or facial trauma. The first few minutes matter because the root surface and surrounding tissues are delicate.
Dentists In Annerley provides emergency dental care in Brisbane Southside from our clinic at 470 Ipswich Road, Annerley. We commonly help patients from Annerley, Greenslopes, Yeronga, Fairfield, Moorooka, Tarragindi, Woolloongabba and nearby suburbs.
Step 1: Check whether it is an adult tooth or baby tooth
This is important. A knocked-out adult tooth may sometimes be reinserted. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be placed back into the socket because it may damage the developing adult tooth underneath.
If you are unsure whether the tooth is adult or baby, call a dentist immediately for advice. For children, also check for other injuries to the lips, gums, jaw or head.
Step 2: Pick the tooth up by the crown
The crown is the white part of the tooth you normally see in the mouth. The root is the longer part that sits under the gum.
Hold the tooth by the crown only. Avoid touching the root, scraping the root or wiping the tooth with a tissue. The cells on the root surface can affect whether the tooth may be successfully reimplanted.
Step 3: Rinse gently only if the tooth is dirty
If the tooth has dirt or debris on it, gently rinse it with milk or saline if available. If those are not available, use clean water briefly.
Do not scrub the tooth. Do not use soap, toothpaste, alcohol, disinfectant or mouthwash. Do not remove any tissue attached to the root.
Step 4: Reinsert the adult tooth only if it goes back easily
If it is an adult tooth and you feel confident, you may gently place it back into the socket if it slips back easily. The tooth should face the correct way.
Once in place, bite gently on clean gauze, a clean cloth or tissue to help hold it steady while you travel to the dentist. Do not force the tooth into the socket. If it does not go back easily, keep it moist instead.
Step 5: Keep the tooth moist if it cannot be reinserted
A knocked-out tooth must not dry out. If you cannot place the adult tooth back into the socket, keep it moist until you reach the dentist.
- Place it in milk if available.
- Use saline if available.
- Use a tooth preservation kit if one is available.
- As a last option, hold it inside the cheek if the patient is old enough and alert enough to avoid swallowing it.
- Do not store the tooth dry in tissue, paper towel or a plastic bag without liquid.
For young children, do not store the tooth inside the cheek because of choking risk. Use milk or saline instead.
How quickly should you see a dentist?
See a dentist as quickly as possible. In many cases, the best chance of saving an adult tooth is when treatment happens within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury.
Even if more time has passed, still seek urgent dental care. A dentist can assess the tooth, socket, gum, nearby teeth and jaw, then explain the next best treatment options.
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Sometimes. A knocked-out adult tooth may be reimplanted successfully, but the outcome depends on several factors.
- How long the tooth was out of the mouth
- Whether the tooth dried out
- How the tooth was handled
- How the tooth was stored
- The extent of injury to the socket, gum and bone
- The patient’s age and stage of root development
- How quickly emergency dental treatment begins
A dentist cannot guarantee that a knocked-out tooth will be saved, but fast action can improve the chance of a better outcome.
What happens at the emergency appointment?
Your dentist will examine the tooth, socket, surrounding gums and nearby teeth. X-rays may be needed to check the bone, roots and any related injury.
Depending on the situation, treatment may involve:
- Cleaning and assessing the injured area
- Repositioning the tooth if suitable
- Stabilising the tooth with a splint while the area heals
- Checking for fractures in nearby teeth
- Managing gum, lip or soft tissue injuries
- Planning follow-up visits
- Root canal treatment later if needed
- Replacement planning if the tooth cannot be saved
A knocked-out adult tooth often needs follow-up care. Your dentist will explain what to watch for and when to return.
Will root canal treatment be needed?
Root canal treatment may be needed after a knocked-out adult tooth is reimplanted, especially if the tooth root is fully developed. This is because the nerve and blood supply inside the tooth may be damaged during the injury.
Your dentist will monitor healing and explain whether root canal treatment is recommended as part of follow-up care.
What if the tooth cannot be saved?
If the tooth cannot be predictably saved, your dentist will explain replacement options once the area is stable. The right option depends on the tooth, age, bite, gum health, bone support and overall treatment plan.
Replacement options may include a temporary tooth, denture, bridge or dental implant for suitable patients.
What if a baby tooth is knocked out?
Do not place a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket. This can damage the adult tooth developing underneath.
Call a dentist promptly so the injury can be assessed. The dentist will check the gums, surrounding baby teeth, developing adult teeth and any soft tissue injuries. If there has been a head injury, loss of consciousness, vomiting, severe bleeding or the child seems very unwell, seek urgent medical care.
For routine children’s dental support, visit our children’s dental care page.
What if the tooth is chipped or broken, but not fully out?
If the tooth is chipped, cracked, loose or partly displaced, it should still be checked. Do not try to push a loose tooth around repeatedly.
For chipped or cracked teeth, read our guide on broken tooth emergencies. If there is swelling, pus, fever or bad taste, read our guide on dental infection or swelling.
What if there is bleeding, swelling or jaw pain?
Dental trauma can affect more than the tooth. The lip, gum, jawbone and nearby teeth may also be injured.
Seek urgent medical care if there is heavy bleeding that will not settle, suspected jaw fracture, facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, loss of consciousness, vomiting after head trauma, or the person feels seriously unwell.
Can a sports mouthguard help prevent knocked-out teeth?
A custom mouthguard can help reduce the risk of dental injuries during contact sport and high-impact activities. It cannot prevent every injury, but it offers better fit and protection than many over-the-counter boil-and-bite options.
If you or your child plays sport, learn more about custom mouthguards.
What is the best next step?
If an adult tooth has been knocked out, act immediately: hold it by the crown, keep it moist and call an emergency dentist. If it is a baby tooth, do not reinsert it, but still arrange dental assessment promptly.
If you are unsure what to do, call Dentists In Annerley on 07 2111 5189. For related urgent problems, read our guides on severe toothache, broken teeth and dental infection or swelling.