A knocked-out tooth is one of the very few dental situations where the actions taken in the first fifteen to thirty minutes can be the difference between saving the tooth and losing it permanently. Knowing what to do before it happens could save your smile.
Yes, in many cases. An adult tooth that has been completely displaced from its socket, a condition called avulsion, can often be successfully reimplanted if it is kept in the right conditions and seen by a dentist as quickly as possible. The window for successful reimplantation is typically thirty to sixty minutes. After that, the prognosis drops significantly.
Note: This applies to adult (permanent) teeth only. Baby teeth are not reimplanted because of the risk of damage to the developing permanent tooth beneath.
1. Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root. The root surface contains delicate periodontal ligament cells that are essential for reattachment. Touching the root damages those cells.
2. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it very briefly with milk or saline. Do not scrub it, use tap water, or wrap it in tissue.
3. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket immediately. If you can do this, hold it gently in place and bite down softly on a clean cloth or gauze to keep it there. This is the best storage option.
4. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, store it in milk. Milk is isotonic and keeps the root cells alive. A glass of whole milk is ideal. Do not store it in water.
5. Alternatively, keep the tooth inside the cheek between the gum and the inner cheek surface. The saliva environment helps preserve the cells. Do not do this with a child, due to swallowing risk.
6. Call Berkhamsted Dental immediately on 01442 865 646 and explain what has happened. We treat dental emergencies promptly and will advise you on the fastest route to treatment.
Your dentist will clean the socket, assess the tooth and surrounding bone, and if the tooth is viable, reimplant and splint it. Follow-up appointments are needed to monitor healing. Root canal treatment is usually required for reimplanted teeth.
If the tooth cannot be saved or reimplantation is not possible, your dentist will discuss replacement options including dental implants.
Share this information with your household. Dental avulsion is more common in children and in contact sports. If your child plays rugby, hockey, or martial arts, a custom mouthguard is the best prevention available.
For dental emergencies in Berkhamsted, call 01442 865 646.
Whether you’re booking your first appointment, have a question about our treatments, or simply want advice on your dental care — our friendly team is here to help.
