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What Should I Do If I Knock Out a Tooth? A Dentist’s Emergency Guide

What Should I Do If I Knock Out a Tooth? A Dentist’s Emergency Guide

If you have knocked out a permanent tooth, seek dental care as soon as possible. A completely knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and prompt assessment is important.

A knocked-out tooth can be frightening, especially when it happens unexpectedly. Whether it occurs during sports, an accident, a fall, or another type of injury, knowing what to do in the first few minutes can help protect the tooth and surrounding tissues.

If you have just knocked out a tooth, find the tooth, handle it carefully, keep it moist, and contact Soni Dentistry immediately.

At Soni Dentistry in London, Ontario, we strive to see patients experiencing dental emergencies immediately. Our practice has been providing dental care to individuals and families in London since 2002.

What Should I Do Immediately After Knocking Out a Tooth?

The first few minutes after a dental injury can be stressful. Try to stay calm and follow these steps.

1. Find the tooth

If you can, locate the tooth as soon as possible.

A knocked-out tooth may be on the ground, in clothing, or somewhere nearby. If you cannot find it, let us know when you contact the office.

2. Pick up the tooth carefully

If you find the tooth, hold it by the crown, which is the part of the tooth that is normally visible in your mouth.

Avoid touching the root whenever possible.

The root surface contains tissues that are important when a dentist is assessing whether the tooth may be preserved.

3. If necessary, gently rinse the tooth

If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water.

Do not scrub the tooth or scrape the root.

Avoid using soap, disinfectants, or other cleaning products.

4. Keep the tooth moist

A knocked-out tooth should not be allowed to dry out.

If you are unable to place the tooth back into the socket safely, keep it moist while you seek dental care. Your dentist can provide guidance on the most appropriate way to transport the tooth based on the circumstances.

5. Contact Soni Dentistry immediately

Don’t wait until the following day to see whether the situation improves.

Contact Soni Dentistry and explain that a permanent tooth has been knocked out. The dental team can advise you on what to do next and arrange an appropriate assessment.

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) defines a dental emergency as a situation where a person is apparently experiencing severe suffering or is at risk of serious bodily harm or permanent damage if treatment is not provided promptly. Acute physical trauma that could affect a person’s daily activities is among the circumstances dentists may consider when determining whether an issue is a dental emergency.

Can a Knocked-Out Tooth Be Saved?

Sometimes.

A knocked-out permanent tooth is not necessarily lost permanently. A dentist will need to assess the tooth, the socket, and the surrounding tissues to determine whether the tooth can be preserved.

The outcome can depend on several factors, including:

Because every dental injury is different, it is important to have the tooth assessed rather than assuming it cannot be saved.

Even if some time has passed, don’t throw the tooth away. Bring it with you when you see the dentist.

Should I Put a Knocked-Out Tooth Back in the Socket?

This is an important question, but the appropriate approach can depend on the individual circumstances of the injury.

For a permanent tooth, your dentist may determine that returning the tooth to its socket is appropriate. However, if you are unsure what to do, contact a dentist immediately for guidance rather than forcing the tooth into position.

Never force a tooth into the socket.

A dental professional can assess the injury and determine the appropriate treatment.

What Should I Do With a Knocked-Out Tooth?

If you have found the tooth, the most important things to remember are:

Do:

Don’t:

If you’re uncertain about what to do, call your dentist immediately rather than trying to manage the injury on your own.

What If a Baby Tooth Gets Knocked Out?

A baby tooth is different from a permanent tooth.

Do not automatically try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket.

If your child loses a baby tooth because of an accident or injury, contact your dentist for advice. The dentist can determine whether the child needs to be examined and whether there are injuries to the gums, surrounding teeth, or developing permanent teeth.

If you aren’t sure whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, tell your dentist what happened and ask for guidance.

How Quickly Should I See a Dentist?

As soon as possible.

A knocked-out tooth involves acute physical trauma and should be assessed promptly.

The RCDSO recognizes acute physical trauma as one of the factors dentists may consider when determining whether a situation constitutes a dental emergency. The College also states that if delaying treatment could reasonably result in serious bodily harm or permanent damage, the situation may meet the definition of a dental emergency.

This is why it is important not to wait for a routine dental appointment.

If you have knocked out a permanent tooth, contact a dental office immediately and explain what happened.

What Happens When I See the Dentist?

Your dentist will assess the injury and determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Depending on the situation, your dental assessment may include:

A dental injury can involve more than the tooth that was knocked out. Other teeth, gums, bone, or surrounding tissues may also have been affected.

That is why a professional examination is important, even if the injury does not initially seem severe.

What If the Tooth Cannot Be Saved?

Unfortunately, not every knocked-out tooth can be preserved.

If your dentist determines that the natural tooth cannot be saved, there are several possible options for replacing it.

Depending on your individual circumstances, these may include:

The appropriate option depends on factors such as your oral health, the location of the missing tooth, the condition of the surrounding teeth and bone, and your overall treatment needs.

At Soni Dentistry, our practice provides comprehensive dental care, including dental implants, bridges, extractions, root canals, crowns, and other restorative treatments.

When Should I Go to the Emergency Department?

A knocked-out tooth should receive prompt dental attention, but sometimes a dental injury is part of a more serious accident.

You may need emergency medical attention if you have symptoms or injuries such as:

The RCDSO identifies compromised airway, severe or uncontrolled bleeding, and acute physical trauma among factors dentists consider when evaluating dental emergencies. It also notes that a dental emergency can be distinct from a medical emergency and that some situations require medical rather than dental emergency care.

If you have suffered a serious accident, your overall health and safety come first.

Emergency Dental Care in London, Ontario

If you have knocked out a tooth, you don’t have to figure out what to do on your own.

At Soni Dentistry, we understand that dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly. Our London dental practice has been serving individuals and families in the community since 2002, and we strive to see patients experiencing dental emergencies immediately.

The RCDSO states that dentists have professional and ethical responsibilities regarding dental emergencies, including providing or arranging emergency dental care and ensuring that patients know how to obtain emergency services when necessary.

If you have experienced a dental injury, contact Soni Dentistry as soon as possible and explain what happened.

Our team can help determine the appropriate next step and arrange an assessment when appropriate.

What to Remember If You Knock Out a Tooth

If you remember nothing else, remember these five things:

1. Find the tooth.

2. Handle it by the crown, not the root.

3. Don’t scrub or scrape it.

4. Keep it moist.

5. Contact a dentist immediately.

The sooner the injury is assessed, the sooner you can find out what treatment options may be available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knocked-Out Teeth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency?

A completely knocked-out permanent tooth should be assessed promptly. The RCDSO considers acute physical trauma among the factors dentists may consider when determining whether a situation is a dental emergency. Dentists use their professional judgment to assess each individual situation.

What should I do if I knock out a permanent tooth?

Find the tooth, handle it carefully by the crown, avoid touching or damaging the root, keep the tooth moist, and contact a dentist immediately.

Can a dentist save a knocked-out tooth?

Sometimes. A dentist will need to assess the tooth and surrounding tissues to determine whether preserving the natural tooth is possible.

Should I put a knocked-out tooth back in?

For some permanent-tooth injuries, returning the tooth to the socket may be appropriate. However, you should not force the tooth into place. If you are uncertain, contact a dentist immediately for guidance.

Should I put a knocked-out tooth in milk?

Keeping an avulsed tooth moist while seeking dental care is important. If you cannot safely return the tooth to the socket, contact your dentist immediately for instructions about appropriate storage and transportation.

Should I put a baby tooth back in?

Generally, you should not automatically attempt to put a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket. Contact your child’s dentist for advice.

What if I can’t find my tooth?

Contact a dentist and explain what happened. If the injury involved a significant accident, your dentist may also need to assess you for other injuries.

What if my tooth was knocked out several hours ago?

You should still contact a dentist as soon as possible. Do not assume that treatment is no longer possible simply because some time has passed.

What if the tooth is cracked but hasn’t completely fallen out?

Contact your dentist for an assessment. A partially fractured or displaced tooth can also require prompt attention, particularly if the injury is associated with pain, bleeding, swelling, or other trauma.

Can a knocked-out tooth be replaced?

If the natural tooth cannot be preserved, your dentist can discuss tooth-replacement options such as an implant, bridge, or other restorative treatment.

Need an Emergency Dentist in London, Ontario?

If you or a family member has knocked out a tooth, don’t wait to see if it gets better on its own.

Contact Soni Dentistry as soon as possible and let our team know that you are experiencing a dental emergency.

We have been providing dental care in London, Ontario since 2002 and strive to see patients experiencing dental emergencies immediately.

Soni Dentistry
London, Ontario

Phone: 519-657-5111

Contact Soni Dentistry

This article provides general dental health information and is not a substitute for an examination, diagnosis, or individualized advice from a dental professional. If you have experienced a dental injury, contact a dentist promptly for an appropriate assessment.

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