What to Do If Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out

Smacking your face on the pavement or getting punched in the mouth is shocking enough, but losing a tooth adds insult to injury. In the stress of the moment, it’s hard to know what to do next — unless you’ve read this post ahead of time.

Here, Dr. Mehrnoosh Darj at Affordable Dental Associates in El Paso and Socorro, Texas, explains why he considers a knocked-out tooth, also called an avulsed tooth, a dental emergency and offers a step-by-step guide on what to do immediately after the incident. 

Common causes of a knocked-out tooth

Knocked-out teeth can happen to anyone for multiple reasons, but these are the most common scenarios.

Sports injuries

Contact sports like football, basketball, and hockey often result in facial injuries. Even with protective gear, there’s a high risk of a knocked-out tooth. Wearing a mouthguard can help, but accidents still happen.

Accidents and falls

Whether you trip over a loose rug or fall off your bike, the impact can easily dislodge a tooth. 

Physical altercations

Fights and rough-housing can lead to severe dental injuries, including knocked-out teeth. 

Why a knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency

A knocked-out tooth is more than just a cosmetic issue. Losing a tooth exposes your nerves and blood vessels, which is why it hurts so much.

If you ignore the problem or put off treatment, that vacant place in your teeth can lead to long-term dental issues, such as infection, misalignment, chewing problems, and even jawbone loss. The sooner you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Step-by-step guide to handling a knocked-out tooth

A knocked-out tooth isn’t necessarily knocked out for good. If you follow Dr. Darj’s step-by-step action plan, you may be able to save your tooth.

1. Act fast

You have about an hour to reinsert the tooth, but the sooner you act, the higher your chances of saving it.

2. Find the tooth and handle it properly

Locate the tooth immediately and pick it up by the crown (the chewing part), not the root. Handling the root can damage the cells necessary for reattachment.

3. Rinse the tooth gently

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline solution. Don’t use tap water or scrub the tooth, which can damage vital tissues.

4. Reinsert the tooth if possible

Try to reinsert the tooth into its socket if you can. Hold it by the crown and gently push it back into place. Bite down on a clean cloth to keep it stable.

5. Keep the tooth moist

If you can’t reinsert it, keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of milk or holding it between your cheek and gums. Storing it in water can damage the root cells.

6. Call us immediately

Call us and let us know what happened. We can usually get you in to see Dr. Darj right away.  

Knowing these steps before an emergency happens can help you stay calm during stressful incidents. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic tooth avulsion, call Affordable Dental Associates now.