Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do in 60 Minutes | Vivid Dental
Quick answer: If you have a knocked-out tooth that is permanent, pick it up by the crown (never the root), give it a very brief rinse with water if it’s dirty, and gently place it back in the socket if you can. If you can’t, keep it moist in milk or saliva. Then see a dentist within 30–60 minutes. Time is the biggest factor in whether the tooth can be saved.
📘 What You’ll Learn
- What to do in the first minutes after a tooth is knocked out
- How to store the tooth so it has the best chance of being saved
- Why baby teeth are treated differently
- When to go to the dentist and when to go to hospital
- How a custom mouthguard can help prevent it happening again
A knocked-out tooth is scary, whether it happens on the sports field, on the playground or in a fall at home. The good news is that what you do in the first few minutes makes a real difference, and most of it is simple. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step, and when to call us.
What Is a Knocked-Out Tooth?
A knocked-out tooth (dentists call it an avulsed tooth) is a tooth that has been completely forced out of its socket by a knock or fall. It’s one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies we see. If you’re not sure whether your situation counts as urgent, our dental emergencies page lists what we treat and when to call.
What to Do If an Adult Tooth Is Knocked Out
These steps are for a permanent (adult) tooth. Take them in order, and try to stay calm. Children take their cue from you.
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown. The crown is the white part you normally see when you smile. Avoid touching the root.
- Rinse it briefly if it’s dirty. A few seconds in milk or saline is ideal. Don’t scrub it, scrape it or wipe the root, and don’t use soap or mouthwash.
- Put it back in the socket if you can. Gently ease it in the right way round, then bite softly on a clean piece of gauze or cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can’t put it back, keep it moist. Place it in a cup of milk, or keep it in saliva. Don’t let it dry out.
- Call us on 02 9713 1760 straight away. We reserve space in our daily schedule for emergencies, and we’ll talk you through what to do next.
- Come in within 30–60 minutes if possible. Bring the tooth (in milk) and any broken pieces with you.
If your mouth is bleeding, bite on clean gauze or a cloth. If the bleeding hasn’t eased after about 10 minutes, get urgent care.
What Not to Do With A Knocked-Out Tooth
- Don’t touch or handle the root of the tooth
- Don’t scrub the tooth or remove any tissue that’s still attached
- Don’t let the tooth dry out or wrap it in a tissue
- Don’t soak it in water for long periods, or use mouthwash or disinfectant
- Don’t wait to see how things feel. Time matters more than comfort here
What If It’s a Baby Tooth?
Don’t push a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket. Doing so can harm the adult tooth developing underneath. It’s still worth getting your child checked the same day, so we can look for any pieces left behind and make sure the gums and neighbouring teeth are okay. Our My Kids Dentist team is used to seeing worried little ones (and worried parents) and will go at your child’s pace.
Dentist or Hospital?
For the tooth itself, a dentist is the right call. Hospital emergency departments are there for serious injuries and usually don’t provide restorative dental care. Go to your nearest emergency department, or call 000, if there is:
- A blow to the head, loss of consciousness, confusion or vomiting
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- A suspected broken jaw
- Swelling that is affecting your breathing or swallowing
If it happens outside our opening hours, follow the same first-aid steps and contact us as soon as we open. If you’re worried at any point, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical help.
How to Reduce the Risk Of A Knocked-Out Tooth Next Time
Many times a knocked-out tooth can happen during sport. A custom-fitted sports mouthguard is one of the best ways to protect teeth, lips and jaws, and it’s far more comfortable than an off-the-shelf version. For more on injuries in sport, see our guide to common dental injuries in sport. Other kinds of urgent problems are covered in Dental Emergencies: When You Should See a Dentist Right Away, and chipped teeth are covered in How to Repair Cracked or Fractured Teeth.
“A knocked-out tooth feels frightening, but acting quickly gives the tooth its best chance. If you’re ever unsure, call us. You’re never bothering us by asking.”
— Dr Caroline Nguyen, Vivid Dental
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a knocked-out tooth be put back in?
Often, yes. A permanent tooth that is handled by the crown, kept moist and replaced as quickly as possible has the best chance of being saved. Gently place it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk or saliva and see a dentist straight away.
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
Aim to see a dentist within 30–60 minutes. The sooner the tooth is back in place, the better its chances, so call us on 02 9713 1760 as soon as it happens.
Should I put a knocked-out tooth in water?
Water is the better choice for storing a knocked-out tooth. A very brief rinse is fine if the tooth is dirty, but avoid soaking it in water for long periods, and never scrub it.
Can a knocked-out baby tooth be put back?
No. Baby teeth shouldn’t be pushed back into the socket because it can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Your child should still be checked by a dentist the same day.
Do I need to go to hospital for a knocked-out tooth?
For the tooth itself, a dentist is the right call. Go to a hospital emergency department or call 000 if there is a head injury, bleeding that won’t stop, a suspected broken jaw, or swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing.
Does Vivid Dental offer same-day emergency appointments in Five Dock?
Yes. We reserve emergency slots in our daily schedule so patients in Five Dock and the surrounding Inner West suburbs can be seen as quickly as possible. Call 02 9713 1760.
Knocked-out tooth or dental emergency? Call us now.
Vivid Dental offers same-day emergency appointments in Five Dock.
If you’re in doubt, call us and we’ll talk you through your next step.
📍 7 Garfield Street, Five Dock NSW 2046 | 📞 02 9713 1760 | 🌐 vividdental.com.au