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Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is the one dental emergency where minutes genuinely decide the outcome. Reimplanted quickly, many teeth can be saved; after an hour dry, the odds fall steeply.
The protocol
Pick the tooth up by the crown — never the root. If dirty, rinse gently for a few seconds with milk or saline; don't scrub, and don't wrap it in tissue. Best move: push it back into the socket right away and bite gently on gauze or cloth to hold it. If you can't, transport it in cold milk (or saline, or tucked in the cheek of an adult patient) and get to a dentist immediately — call ahead so they're ready.
Baby teeth are different
Knocked-out baby teeth are NOT reimplanted — forcing one back can damage the adult tooth forming underneath. Still see a pediatric dentist promptly to check for other injury.
- Facial swelling spreading toward the eye or down the neck
- Fever with facial swelling
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure
- Jaw trauma or a suspected broken jaw
Verified practices offering this
All Dental of Menifee✓ Claimed
Emerald Dental Care✓ Claimed
Diamond Dental✓ Claimed
Lake Magdalene Dental✓ Claimed
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Sources
General dental-health information, not medical or dental advice. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.