Reviewed by Dr Kathryn Stanley
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Reading Time: Three Minutes
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental injuries a child can experience. Whether it happens during sports, a fall, or an accident at home, knowing how to handle an avulsed tooth can improve the chances of saving it.
Table of Contents
What Is an Avulsed Tooth?
An avulsed tooth is a tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket. This type of dental trauma often occurs in children due to:
- Sports injuries
- Playground accidents
- Falls at home or school
- Bike or scooter accidents
- Rough play or collisions
Because the tooth is completely removed from the socket, immediate action is important. The first few minutes after the injury can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Immediate Steps To Take for a Knocked-Out Tooth
If the tooth is a baby tooth, it should not be reimplanted. If it is an adult tooth, quickly move onto the following steps.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Check for Other Injuries
Start by making sure your child is safe. Look for:
- Head injury
- Facial swelling
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Signs of concussion
If there are serious injuries, seek medical attention first. Otherwise, move quickly to locate the tooth.
Step 2: Find the Tooth and Pick It Up Correctly
Find the knocked-out tooth and hold it by the crown. The crown is the white chewing surface. Avoid touching the root of the tooth. The root contains delicate cells that are important for successful reattachment.
Step 3: Gently Rinse the Tooth
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it using:
- Saline solution
- Clean water
- Do not scrub the tooth
- Do not remove tissue attached to the root
- Do not dry the tooth
Handling the tooth gently helps preserve the root surface and improves the chances of saving it.
Step 4: Try to Place the Tooth Back in the Socket
If your child is calm and cooperative, you may gently place the adult tooth back into the socket. Have your child bite down on gauze or a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place.
This is often the best option for preserving the tooth until you can reach your pediatric dentist. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, keep it moist and seek care immediately.
How to Store an Avulsed Tooth
If you cannot place the tooth back in the socket, keep it moist until your child can be seen for an emergency appointment. Proper storage helps protect the root surface and improves the chances of successful treatment for an avulsed tooth.
Place the tooth in a container with saline solution, saliva, or cow’s milk. Do not store it in dry tissue or paper towel, plain water, or a dry container.
Baby Tooth vs Permanent Tooth
The steps differ depending on whether your child lost a baby tooth or permanent tooth.
Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
If a baby tooth is knocked out:
- Do not try to put it back in
- Contact your pediatric dentist
- Schedule an emergency appointment
Reinserting a baby tooth may damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out:
- Try to reinsert it if possible
- Keep the tooth moist
- Seek dental care immediately
Permanent teeth have a better chance of being saved when treated quickly.
How Soon Should You See a Dentist?
A knocked-out tooth requires immediate dental care. Ideally, your child should be seen within 30 minutes.
However, even if more time has passed, you should still contact your pediatric dentist right away. Treatment for an avulsed tooth may still be possible.
Emergency Dentist in Overland Park, KS
We provide emergency dental care for children and reserve time in our schedule for urgent dental injuries.
If your child has experienced a knocked-out tooth or any other dental emergency, contact Stanley Pediatric Dentistry right away to schedule an emergency appointment.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Overland Park, call (913) 345-0331 or visit us at 8575 W 110th St Suite 310, Overland Park, KS.
FAQs
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Yes. A knocked-out permanent tooth can often be saved if treated quickly and stored properly before arriving at the dentist.
How can you keep a knocked-out tooth moist?
Store the tooth in a clean container filled with saliva, saline solution or cow’s milk.
How does a dentist fix a knocked-out tooth?
After examining the area, a dental X-ray may be taken to check the tooth, surrounding bone, and nearby teeth. If possible, the knocked-out tooth is gently placed back into the socket. The tooth may then be stabilized using a small flexible splint that holds it in place while it heals.
