What To Do When You Knock Out A Tooth

A woman smiling after her tooth-loss was fixed.

Having a tooth get knocked out is never something that is planned. In that quick emergency moment we recommend learning what to do before it happens. Much like running a fire drill, learning the steps of what to do in a dental emergency, including having a tooth knocked out, can help you be more calm and guided in what steps to take.

Teeth can become fractured or even be knocked out due to a number of situations including playing sports, outdoor activities, a fall, a vehicle accident, or even an act of violence. Having a tooth fully avulsed, or out, does not mean that it can’t be restored. Depending on a number of factors, we may be able to reset the tooth back in its root. The steps you take can play a crucial role in the success of reestablishing your tooth.

Here are some recommendations to help:

•	Contact our Office: No matter the day or time, contact our office and let the staff, or emergency line, know what has happened. They will be able to provide helpful instructions. If our office is unable to help, seek other help - we understand the time sensitive situation.
•	Put the tooth back in its socket: Depending on the age and maturity of the person who lost the tooth, it is best to simply place the tooth back in the socket and hold it in its position until you can be seen. If the tooth landed on the ground, you may want to lightly rinse the tooth with water, but do not scrub any of the material from the tooth. You may think material on the tooth is plaque buildup, but it could be important ligaments needed for reattaching. Some patients may feel more comfortable, especially if they are in pain, holding the tooth under their tongue; this is acceptable too.
•	Keep the tooth wet: It is preferable to keep the tooth wet, versus bringing it in a paper towel or napkin. If milk is available, we recommend the second option from keeping the tooth in the patient’s mouth to putting it in milk. Putting the tooth in milk will help the cells at the root’s surface from swelling and bursting. It is best to not put a tooth in water, as water will cause swelling in the cells and they could burst.
•	Be Seen Quickly: Time is of the essence. On average, we assume the tooth needs to be set back in place in approximately 60 minutes to be successfully reset.

How can I prevent teeth from being knocked out?

Accidents happen, and you can’t always avoid them. That being said, there is a step you can take to help reduce this possibility if you know you are at high risk of mouth injury. If you, or a member of your family, play contact sports such as football, soccer, or more, wearing a mouthguard or sportsguard can provide much needed protection. Additionally, a mouthguard can be beneficial for many other indoor and outdoor activities, such as skating, skateboarding, climbing or more.

If you, or a family member, find yourself in a situation where you knock out a tooth, give Dallas Oral Surgery Associates a call at 972-733-0414 as soon as possible and we will help restore your tooth.

Our Location

5824 W Plano Pkwy Suite 101 & 102, Plano, TX 75093

972-733-0414

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