If an adult tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, rinse it gently, put it back in the socket if you can (or keep it in milk), and see a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. Acting fast gives the tooth the best chance of reattaching. Baby teeth are different: never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. For a chipped tooth, rinse, save any pieces, and call a dentist the same day.
If an Adult Tooth Is Knocked Out
A knocked-out tooth is one of the few dental problems where minutes really count. The root is covered in tiny living fibers that help the tooth reattach. If those fibers dry out or get scrubbed off, the tooth is much less likely to survive. Follow these steps:
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the white part you chew with. Don't touch the root.
- Rinse gently if it's dirty. Rinse for a few seconds with milk or saline, or plain water if that's all you have. Don't scrub it, use soap or wrap it in a tissue.
- Try to put it back in. Make sure it faces the right way, then gently push it into the socket. Bite softly on clean gauze or a cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can't put it back, keep it moist. Place it in a small container of cold milk, or hold it inside your cheek in saliva (only if the person is old enough not to swallow it). Don't store it in plain water for long.
- See a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. Call on your way so the office can be ready.
If the injury also involved a hard blow to the head, loss of consciousness, a possible broken jaw, or bleeding that won't stop, go to the ER first.
Baby Teeth Are Different
If a child knocks out a baby tooth, do not try to put it back in. Pushing a baby tooth back into the socket can damage the adult tooth growing underneath it.
Instead, have your child bite gently on gauze to stop the bleeding, use a cold pack for swelling, and call your dentist. The dentist will check for broken pieces, injury to the gums, and damage to the adult tooth below. If you are not sure whether the tooth is a baby tooth or an adult tooth, keep it in milk and call right away. Children start losing baby front teeth around age 6, so a front tooth knocked out after that may be an adult tooth.
Broke or Lost a Tooth? Call (916) 929-3737 now. We see dental injuries the same day and will tell you exactly what to do on your way in.
If a Tooth Is Chipped or Broken
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Save any pieces you find in milk or a clean container. Sometimes a dentist can bond a piece back on.
- Stop any bleeding by pressing gauze on the area for about 10 minutes.
- Reduce swelling with a cold pack on the outside of your cheek.
- Protect the tooth. Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax, and chew on the other side. Avoid very hot or cold foods.
- Call a dentist the same day, even if it doesn't hurt. A chip can expose the softer inner layers of the tooth, and a crack can spread.
If you see pink or red in the center of the broken tooth, the nerve may be exposed. That needs to be seen as soon as possible. You can learn more on our chipped and broken teeth page.
How Dentists Repair a Damaged Tooth
The right fix depends on how much of the tooth is damaged and whether the nerve inside was affected. Your dentist will examine the tooth and take X-rays to see what's going on below the surface.
| Treatment | When it's used |
|---|---|
| Bonding | Small chips. Tooth-colored resin is shaped onto the tooth and hardened with a light, often in one visit. |
| Crown | Larger breaks. A custom cap covers the whole tooth to protect and strengthen it. |
| Root canal | When the nerve inside is exposed, injured or infected. Re-implanted adult teeth often need one in the weeks after the injury. |
| Splint | A knocked-out or loosened tooth that was put back. A thin wire or bonding holds it to the teeth beside it for a few weeks while it heals. |
| Dental implant | When a tooth can't be saved. An implant replaces the root and holds a natural-looking crown. |
Getting Seen Quickly in Sacramento
Fulton Family Dental offers same-day emergency appointments for broken and knocked-out teeth. Call (916) 929-3737 and we will walk you through the first-aid steps while you head to our office on Fulton Ave. Emergency visits start with a $125 emergency exam and X-rays, and you'll get written pricing before any treatment.
For more on what to do in the moment, see our knocked-out tooth page. If you or your kids play sports, a custom mouthguard is one of the best ways to prevent these injuries in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Often, yes, if it is an adult tooth and it is put back in or stored in milk and seen by a dentist within about 30 to 60 minutes. The longer the tooth is out of the mouth and dry, the lower the chances. Even if it can't be saved long term, a dentist can help plan a replacement.
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. Putting a baby tooth back can harm the adult tooth developing underneath it. Stop the bleeding with gauze and call your dentist so they can check your child's mouth.
Can I store a knocked-out tooth in water?
Plain water is not a good choice for storage, because it can damage the cells on the root. Cold milk or the person's own saliva is better. A brief rinse in water to remove dirt is okay if that's all you have.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency if it doesn't hurt?
It is not usually an ER-level emergency, but you should still call a dentist soon. A small chip can leave the tooth weaker or more sensitive, and cracks can grow. Early repair is usually simpler.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Every mouth is different. For advice about your own teeth, please schedule a visit or call (916) 929-3737.