My Tooth Got Knocked Out: What Should I Do?

Any emergency involving your physical health requires immediate action and a visit to the appropriate care provider as soon as possible. Dental emergencies are no exception. Knowing what to do in the event of a knocked-out tooth could be the difference between saving your tooth or losing it for good. By taking the initiative and getting to the dentist’s office fast, you can avoid potential complications and the costs of replacing the tooth with a bridge or dental implant.

1st American Dental in Tempe, Arizona, has emergency dentistry appointments available, so you don’t need to delay getting the care you need for a knocked-out tooth. Our dentist Leon Brannon Reed, DDS, is an expert in emergency dentistry. But there are steps you can take ahead of your visit to be sure the tooth stays safe, clean, and intact so it’s ready for treatment. 

What to do with an adult tooth

There are many ways a tooth can get knocked out, including contact sports and car accidents. Sometimes it isn’t possible to find the tooth. But when you can locate it, take the necessary steps to keep it safe until you’re at our office. 

If the tooth’s crown and root come out together, be sure to only hold the tooth by its crown. That is the portion of the tooth above the gum line, which you can see when you smile. The root is the pointed portion that anchors the tooth in your jawbone. 

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it off. You have a few choices on how to store the tooth for the journey to our office. You may place the tooth back in its socket and bite down on a clean cloth to keep it secure. You can also keep it between your gums and cheek. Otherwise, you can store the tooth in a glass of cool milk. 

For knocked-out baby teeth

Baby teeth are the teeth you lose when you’re a child. Even though they eventually loosen and fall out, an injured or knocked-out baby tooth can cause future complications for your child’s oral health. 

Just like with adult teeth, keep it moist, and get to our office as soon as possible for emergency dentistry. 

Getting to the office

Just like going to the emergency room for other physical health emergencies, time is of the essence when it comes to dental complications like knocked-out teeth. Contact us for availability, and we’ll get you into the dental chair as soon as possible. 

A chipped tooth, while it is an inconvenience, it is not so time-sensitive. Rather than making an emergency dentistry visit, make an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you. 

Once you get to the office with the tooth, Dr. Reed assesses the circumstances and might take dental X-rays to check for damage beneath your gum line. He can then determine if reattachment is possible and proceed with splinting the tooth to hold it in place. 

If you are one of the five million people who lose teeth each year, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for an appointment right away. You can reach our office with a phone call or schedule the next available opening online.