If a tooth has just been knocked out – during a game, a fall, a bike spill, or a car accident – what you do in the next 30 minutes matters more than almost anything else. A permanent tooth that has been completely knocked out (dentists call this an avulsed tooth) can often be saved and re-implanted, but only if it is handled correctly and you get to a dentist quickly. The window is short: the best outcomes happen when the tooth is back in its socket within 30 to 60 minutes.
If you are dealing with this right now, call Extraordinary Smiles at (610) 799-0600 before you finish reading. We prioritize dental emergencies and see patients the same day whenever possible – and you do not need to be an existing patient. You can also visit our Emergency Dentistry for more on how we handle urgent situations, or head straight to Contact Us if you’d rather reach us that way. The steps below will help you protect the tooth on your way in.
Step-by-step: what to do in the first 30 minutes
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, never the root. The crown is the white part you normally chew with. The root is the pointed end that was in your gum. Touching the root can damage the delicate cells needed for it to reattach.
- Gently rinse it – don’t scrub. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds with milk or clean water. Do not scrub it, use soap, or dry it with a towel, and don’t wrap it in a tissue. Those cells on the root need to stay moist and intact.
- Try to put it back in the socket. If you can, gently place the tooth back into the empty socket the right way around and bite down softly on a clean cloth to hold it in place. A tooth kept in its socket has the best chance of survival.
- If you can’t reinsert it, keep it moist the right way. Place the tooth in a cup of cold milk, or in a tooth-preservation kit if one is available. If you have neither, tuck it inside your cheek (only for someone old enough not to swallow it). Plain water is a last resort – it’s harder on the root cells than milk.
- Control bleeding and swelling. Bite gently on clean gauze or a cloth to slow bleeding, and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to ease swelling and pain.
- Get to a dentist immediately. Call ahead so the team is ready for you. Bring the tooth exactly as you’ve stored it. Time is the single biggest factor in whether the tooth can be saved.
What about a knocked-out baby tooth?
The rules are different for children. A knocked-out baby (primary) tooth should generally NOT be put back in, because re-implanting it can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Still call a dentist right away – it’s important to check for other injuries and make sure nothing was left in the socket. If you’re not sure whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent one, call us, and we’ll guide you.
Why you shouldn’t “wait and see”
Even if the bleeding stops and the pain settles, a knocked-out or pushed-out tooth needs professional care quickly. The socket, the surrounding bone, and nearby teeth can all be affected, and an untreated injury can lead to infection or the loss of a tooth that could have been saved. This is true of most dental pain, actually – as we cover in What Should You Do If You Have a Severe Toothache?, waiting rarely makes things better and often lets a small problem become a bigger one. A dentist can re-implant and splint the tooth, check for fractures with an X-ray, and tell you what to expect during healing.
How Extraordinary Smiles helps in a dental emergency
At Extraordinary Smiles in Schnecksville, we keep room in the schedule for urgent care and treat dental emergencies for both current and brand-new patients across the Lehigh Valley – Schnecksville, Allentown, Orefield, Whitehall, and the surrounding towns. When you call, we’ll give you first-aid guidance over the phone and get you seen as fast as possible. Once you arrive, we’ll assess the tooth, take any X-rays needed, and walk you through your options and the cost before we begin. Learn more on our Emergency Dentistry, Contact us any time you have a question.
Frequently asked questions
Can a knocked-out tooth really be saved? Often, yes – if it’s a permanent tooth, handled by the crown, kept moist, and re-implanted quickly (ideally within 30–60 minutes). The sooner you’re seen, the better the odds.
What’s the best liquid to store a knocked-out tooth in? Cold milk is the best easy option. A tooth-preservation kit is ideal if you have one. Avoid storing it in plain water for long, and never let it dry out.
Should I go to the ER or a dentist? For the tooth itself, a dentist is best and can treat it faster. Go to the ER if there’s a serious injury, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or a possible broken jaw – then follow up with a dentist for the tooth.
Do I have to be an existing patient to be seen? No. Extraordinary Smiles welcomes new patients for dental emergencies and offers same-day appointments whenever possible.
A knocked-out tooth is a true emergency – call Extraordinary Smiles now at (610) 799-0600 for a same-day appointment. New patients are always welcome, and we’ll guide you through the first steps over the phone.
