What to Do When Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out

When it comes to a tooth knocked out, your first steps can mean the difference between saving that tooth or needing a replacement. Here’s what you should do when you or your child has a tooth that’s accidentally dislodged.

Once your permanent teeth come in, they're designed to last a lifetime, but as life often shows us, accidents can happen. If you have a permanent tooth knocked out, what you do immediately afterward can save the tooth, sparing you from finding a replacement option.

At the practice of Thomas Eaton, DDS, in Ione, California, Dr. Eaton handles dental issues of all kinds, including emergency situations in which you have a knocked-out tooth. While we urge you to call us straight away, you should also follow these steps before you come to see us.

Locate and rinse the tooth

When you lose a tooth, the first thing to do is locate it as quickly as possible. Be sure to treat the tooth gently and avoid touching the root area—handle it by the crown instead.

If you can, rinse the tooth and your mouth with lukewarm water, and don’t use any cleansers.

Re-insert the tooth

Once the tooth and your mouth are relatively free of blood and/or debris, gently push the tooth back into the socket. You can hold the tooth in place by lightly clenching a piece of gauze or a wet tea bag between your jaws.

When reinsertion isn’t possible

If you try to put the tooth into the socket, but it doesn’t readily slide into place or the area is too tender, it’s best to preserve the tooth elsewhere. If possible, keep it tucked between your cheek and jaw so that it can benefit from an environment that has ample saliva.

If this proves too difficult, you can try to collect some saliva in a glass and place the tooth in the liquid, or you can use milk if saliva isn’t available. Please don’t place the tooth in a glass of water, as the tooth root's surface doesn’t tolerate tap water all that well.

Get help immediately

As mentioned earlier, you or someone around you should contact Dr. Eaton’s office right away between locating, rinsing, and replacing your knocked-out tooth. If you’ve done your part to preserve the tooth, we can do ours to ensure that it has the best possible chance of survival.

Rest assured, if we can’t save your tooth, there are options — including dental implants, which mimic your lost tooth right down to the roots. Dr. Eaton is an expert in restorative dentistry. Call (209) 274-2429 for an immediate appointment for a dislodged tooth or any other dental emergency. You can also request an appointment using the online booking tool for non-emergency care.