A knocked-out adult tooth is one of the few true dental emergencies where minutes matter. With the right steps in the first half hour, there’s a real chance the tooth can be saved.
Save this page or screenshot it. If it ever happens to you or someone in your family, here’s exactly what to do.
Step 1: Find the tooth
Pick it up by the crown — the white, chewing part. Do not touch the root (the pointy end). Touching it can damage the cells that need to reattach.
Step 2: Rinse — gently
If the tooth is dirty, give it a quick rinse with milk or saline solution. Plain water works if that’s all you have. Do not scrub it. Do not use soap. Do not dry it with a towel.
Step 3: Try to reinsert it
If you (or the patient) can stay calm enough, the best place for the tooth is right back in the socket. Slide it in gently and bite down on a clean piece of gauze or a damp tea bag to hold it in place. This gives the highest chance of saving it.
If reinserting isn’t possible — for kids, for accident situations, for any reason — go to step 4.
Step 4: Keep the tooth moist
The tooth needs to stay wet. The best storage options, in order:
- In the cheek (between cheek and gums) — only for adults who won’t swallow it
- In milk — best refrigerator-temperature, but any cold milk works
- In saliva — spit into a clean container and place the tooth in it
- In a tooth preservation kit (Save-a-Tooth, available at some pharmacies)
Do not store in plain water. Plain water damages the cells on the root surface within minutes.
Step 5: Get to a dentist within 30-60 minutes
Time is critical. Call us on the way: (585) 335-2120. Tell us what happened so we’re ready when you walk in.
If it’s after hours, our after-hours message will direct you. For severe trauma, head to the ER first — they can stabilize you, and we’ll handle the dental side after.
What about a baby tooth?
Don’t try to reimplant a baby tooth. It can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Do bring your child in to be evaluated — we want to make sure no fragments are left behind and check the surrounding teeth and gums.
Why every minute counts
Teeth that are reimplanted within 30 minutes have a high success rate. After 60 minutes, the cells on the root start to die and the chance of long-term success drops sharply. After 2 hours, reimplantation rarely works long-term.
If we can save the tooth, we will. If we can’t, we have several great options for replacement, from implants and bridges to other restorative work.
Quick prevention tips
- Wear a mouth guard for sports — even non-contact ones like skating, biking, and basketball
- Don’t chew ice or hard candies
- Don’t use your teeth as tools (opening packages, holding nails, etc.)
If a tooth has already been lost or there’s any chance you’ll need urgent care, call our Dansville emergency line at (585) 335-2120.