A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Knocked-out teeth can be re-implanted in many cases.

A permanent tooth that is re-implanted within 30 minutes has the highest chance of success.

1. Collect Tooth

• Handle tooth carefully because damage may prevent re-implantation.

• Touch only the crown, the top part of the tooth. Do not touch the root of the tooth.

• Rinse tooth gently only if necessary. Do not scrub, scrape, or use alcohol to remove dirt.

2. Re-Insert or Store the Tooth

• Rinse mouth with warm water.

• If possible, reinsert a permanent tooth into the correct sockets and have the person bite on a gauze pad to hold teeth in place.

• If you can’t reinsert the permanent tooth, or for baby teeth or teeth fragments, store them in whole milk or between your cheek and gum to prevent drying.

3. Treat the Symptoms

• Control bleeding with sterile gauze or cloth.

• For pain and swelling, apply a cool compress. Encourage a child to suck on a frozen pop.

• For pain, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

4. Get Help

• For teeth that have been knocked out, call our office immediately or go to an emergency room. Take the teeth or teeth fragments with you. Even if the teeth have been successfully reinserted, you should contact our office to schedule an apointment.