Guidelines for a Knocked-Out Tooth

Whether it was a soccer ball or a fist that collided with your jaw, your knocked-out tooth doesn’t have to spell permanent disaster. By following some quick and simple guidelines—and rushing to the dentist’s office—you can actually have your tooth back in place before anyone realizes it was missing in the first place!

Pick It Up Carefully

It’s not often that you get to see a tooth in its entirety, so it’s important to note that you must pick up your tooth from its chewing surface, called the crown, not from the root that was holding it in your gums. You want to keep the tooth’s root in perfect conditions to maximize the chances of replacement.

Rinse It Clean

Blood, dirt, and other contaminants will likely be found on your tooth, so rinse it very gently with water. Absolutely do not use soap or other chemicals, and don’t scrub, dry, or wrap the tooth either.

Put the Tooth Back In

Though it might make you cringe to think about it, you need to place the tooth back into its socket with your fingers. Hold the tooth in place and either push it into its socket or gentle bite down on it. The sooner this occurs, the greater likelihood that the roots can reattach and the tooth can survive.

Keep It Moist

If for any reason you can’t reposition the tooth in your mouth, it must be kept wet so it doesn’t dry out and die. Tap water isn’t a good idea because it can harm the root surfaces, so try milk instead, or keep it in your mouth next to your cheek.

Step On It!

Get yourself to your endodontist or the nearest available dentist, preferably within 30 minutes. He’ll take it from there, and with any luck that knock-out won’t cause any lasting damage.