Loose or Dislodged Tooth
A tooth pushed out of position from injury needs to be stabilized quickly to have the best chance of staying healthy long-term.
A tooth that's been knocked loose or pushed out of its normal position, but not fully knocked out. Still needs urgent attention to stabilize it.
Step by step
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1
Using clean fingers, try to gently guide the tooth back toward its normal position. Use light pressure only, never force it.
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2
Bite down gently to help hold it roughly in place, and try to avoid pushing on it with your tongue.
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3
Apply a cold compress to the outside of the face if there's swelling.
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4
Call us immediately for evaluation. A loose tooth often needs to be splinted (temporarily bonded to neighboring teeth) to stabilize it while it reattaches.
a tooth has been pushed loose or out of position from an injury. Call immediately, this often needs splinting to stabilize it.
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.