A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved, but time matters. A tooth put back in its socket within about 30 minutes has the best chance of surviving. Here is what to do, in order.
For an adult tooth
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the white part you normally see. Do not touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk, or for a few seconds under cold running water. Do not scrub it or use antiseptic.
- Push it gently back into the socket, the right way round, using the teeth on either side as a guide.
- Hold it in place by biting gently on a clean cloth or tissue.
- Call the practice and come in straight away.
If you cannot put it back
Keep the tooth moist. The best options are a small container of milk, or inside the cheek of the person who lost it, if they are old enough not to swallow it. Wrapping it in cling film after coating it in saliva also works.
Do not keep it in water, do not let it dry out, and do not put it on ice.
For a baby tooth
Do not put a baby tooth back in. It can damage the adult tooth growing underneath. Keep the tooth in milk if you can, stop any bleeding with gentle pressure on a clean cloth, and call us so we can check the area.
When to go to hospital instead
Go to a hospital emergency unit if there was a blow to the head with any loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion, if the jaw may be broken, or if bleeding will not stop. Dental care can wait until that has been checked.
Need to see someone?
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. For anything urgent, call 031 830 4471. We keep same-day slots free every weekday.