Knocked-Out Tooth
Time is critical. Call immediately for the best chance of saving the tooth. The window for successfully re-implanting a tooth is often measured in minutes, not hours.
A tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket, usually from trauma or injury. The single most time-sensitive dental emergency.
Step by step
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1
Find the tooth and pick it up only by the crown (the white, visible top part). Never touch or handle the root.
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2
If it's dirty, rinse it gently with plain water for no more than 10 seconds. No scrubbing, no soap, no scrubbing off any tissue fragments attached to the root.
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3
If possible, try to gently reinsert the tooth into its socket, facing the right direction, and have the patient bite down gently on gauze or a clean cloth to hold it in place.
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4
If reinsertion isn't possible, keep the tooth moist at all times. Submerged in cold whole milk (the best widely available option), the patient's own saliva, or a tooth-preservation product if you have one on hand. Never let it dry out, and don't store it in plain tap water.
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5
Get to us within 30–60 minutes for the best chance of successfully saving the tooth. Every extra minute outside the mouth reduces the odds.
this happens at all. Call immediately, don't wait. Every extra minute outside the mouth reduces the odds of successfully saving the tooth.
A note on this guide: this is general guidance for a common situation, not a substitute for professional care. If something feels off or you're unsure, call us. Don't wait it out. If this is a true medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Other dental emergencies
Dealing with a dental emergency?
Call us right away. We're here to help you figure out the right next step.