What to do straight away
Time matters. A permanent tooth that is back in its socket within about an hour has the best chance of surviving, so act quickly and stay calm.
Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the white part you chew with. Do not touch the root. Do not scrub it, wipe it with cloth or use soap, because that damages the delicate cells on the root surface that help it reattach.
If it is dirty, rinse it very briefly, for a few seconds, under cool running water or in milk, and then put it back. Do not leave it to dry out.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Hold the tooth by the crown | Touch or hold the root |
| Rinse briefly for a few seconds if dirty | Scrub, wipe or use soap or antiseptic on it |
| Push it back into the socket if you can, and bite gently on a clean cloth | Force it in if it will not go, or put back a milk tooth |
| Keep it moist in milk or inside the cheek if it cannot go back | Wrap it in tissue or keep it dry |
| See a dentist within the hour | Wait to see if the pain settles |
General first aid information for a knocked-out permanent tooth, not a substitute for professional care.
How to keep a knocked-out tooth alive
If you cannot put the tooth back, keep it moist. The best choice is a small container of milk. Another option is to hold it inside the cheek, next to the gum, in an older child or adult who is calm and will not swallow it. A young child should not carry it in the mouth because of the risk of swallowing it. Plain water is a poor choice for storage, and a dry tooth, such as one wrapped in tissue, loses its chance quickly.
Go to a dentist straight away and take the tooth with you. Any bleeding from the socket can be controlled by biting on clean gauze or a cloth. For pain on the way, see our guide on teeth pain medicine, and the wider toothache page. Our guide on what to do in a dental emergency covers other urgent situations.
Never replant a milk tooth
If the tooth knocked out is a baby tooth, do not push it back in. Replanting a milk tooth can damage the permanent tooth growing beneath it. Keep the child calm, control any bleeding with a clean cloth, and take the child to a dentist to check that no piece of tooth or root has been left behind and that the gum and neighbouring teeth are fine. A child who has lost a front milk tooth to injury is covered in our guide on a broken milk tooth.
If you are not sure whether the tooth is a milk tooth or a permanent one, a child of about six to twelve may have either, so look at its shape and size. When in doubt, do not replant, and get to a dentist quickly.
After a tooth is replanted
A replanted permanent tooth is usually held in place with a thin splint for a couple of weeks. The nerve inside often does not recover, so a root canal treatment may be needed later, and the dentist will arrange follow-up checks. Soft foods and gentle brushing around the tooth help while it heals.
If there is a cut lip or the tooth is chipped as well, tell the dentist. Any head injury, drowsiness, vomiting, spreading facial swelling or fever needs same-day medical care, and trouble breathing or swallowing needs a hospital emergency. You can read more on the root canal page.
Common questions
How long can a knocked-out tooth survive outside the mouth?
The sooner it goes back, the better. The chance of a permanent tooth reattaching falls quickly as it dries, and the first hour is the aim. A tooth kept in milk lasts longer than one left dry.
Can I put the tooth in water?
Water is not a good storage choice, since it can damage the root cells. Milk is better. If the tooth is dirty, a brief rinse is fine, then place it back in the socket or in milk.
What if the tooth is cracked or part of the root is missing?
Still take every piece to the dentist in milk. The dentist will decide whether it can be saved or whether another way of replacing it is needed.
Is a knocked-out tooth an emergency?
Yes, a permanent tooth is. Seek a dentist at once. If a child has a head injury, vomiting or drowsiness, get medical care first.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Prices are prevailing Lucknow market ranges. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.