Knocked-Out Tooth? What to Do Right Now
If a tooth was knocked out, call (310) 926-6825 now. Our phone is answered 24/7. Pick the tooth up by the crown, keep it moist in milk, and get to a dentist right away. We’ll tell you what to do right now and get you scheduled. How soon you’re seen depends on how severe it is.
What to do right now
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the chewing surface. Don’t touch the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it gently. Don’t scrub it, don’t use soap, and don’t wrap it in a tissue or cloth.
- Keep it moist the whole time. The American Dental Association advises keeping a knocked-out permanent tooth moist at all times, in milk or between your cheek and gum, and getting to the dentist right away. A tooth preservation product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance also works if you have one.
- Don’t store it in tap water, and don’t let it dry out.
- Call us on the way and bring the tooth with you.
Don’t store the tooth in the mouth of a young child or of someone who may become unconscious. Use a cup of milk instead.
Is a knocked-out tooth an emergency?
Yes. A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency, and acting fast gives it the best chance of being saved. Call even if the bleeding has stopped or the pain is manageable. A tooth that is loose or pushed out of position after an injury needs to be seen quickly too.
When to go to the ER instead
Go to a hospital emergency room, or call 911, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, if bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure with clean gauze or cloth, or if you think your jaw may be broken. A hard fall or a blow to the head can also cause a head injury, such as a concussion, which needs a doctor. If you can’t reach a dentist, the ER is the next stop.
An ER can control bleeding and check for other injuries, but you’ll still need a dentist for the tooth itself. Call us once you’re stable, and bring the tooth.
If it's a baby tooth
A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, because that can damage the permanent tooth growing underneath. Find the tooth, keep it moist and get to a dentist, who can check whether the whole tooth or only part of it came out. When a baby tooth is lost early, it usually needs no treatment, and the adult tooth comes in on its own. If you can’t tell which kind of tooth it is, call and describe it.
If you can't find the tooth
A missing tooth still needs a dentist, so call anyway. A tooth that can’t be found may have been swallowed or breathed in. A swallowed tooth is usually harmless, but a tooth that was breathed in can cause a lung infection. If you think that may have happened, tell a doctor, who can check with a chest X-ray. Trouble breathing means going to an ER right away.
Why teeth get knocked out
Knocking a tooth out takes a lot of force. Falls, bike accidents, contact sports and traffic accidents are common causes, and most knocked-out teeth are front teeth. Wearing a mouthguard for contact sports can help protect your teeth.
What the dentist will do
Our dentist examines the tooth and the rest of your mouth, may take an X-ray to check the root for damage, and explains the options before starting anything. Depending on what’s found, treatment may include:
- Cleaning the tooth and placing it back in the socket, or repositioning it if it was already put back
- Splinting the tooth to the teeth on either side to hold it in place while it heals
- Follow-up visits to check how it’s healing and remove the splint
- A root canal later, if the soft tissue inside the tooth becomes infected or dies
- Replacing the tooth with a denture, bridge or implant if it can’t be saved or can’t be found
No one can promise over the phone that a tooth will be saved, which is why the exam comes first.
Healing after treatment
If your tooth is put back and splinted, expect to eat soft foods for a while, avoid very hot or cold food, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and leave the tooth alone, including with your tongue and fingers. Wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports. Call us if you have bleeding, continued pain, swelling, or a change in the tooth’s color.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on whether the tooth can be saved and what it needs, such as a splint, follow-up visits, a root canal or a replacement. You’ll know the plan before treatment starts.
- Insurance: we accept PPO plans, including Aetna, Assurant, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian Direct, Humana and MetLife.
- Payment: cash, check, credit and debit cards, plus financing through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub.
- No insurance: ask about our in-office dental plan.
Knocked-out tooth questions
What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently if it's dirty, and keep it moist in milk. Then get to a dentist right away and bring the tooth. Call (310) 926-6825 on the way and we'll tell you what to do right now.
How long do you have to save a knocked-out tooth?
A knocked-out tooth has the best chance when you act fast, so get to a dentist as soon as you can and keep the tooth moist the whole way. Call even if some time has passed, since the dentist can still check whether the tooth can be saved.
Should I keep a knocked-out tooth in milk or water?
Milk is the better choice for keeping a knocked-out tooth. Don't store it in tap water, and don't let it dry out.
What if a child's baby tooth is knocked out?
A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, since that can damage the permanent tooth underneath. Find the tooth, keep it moist and get to a dentist, who can check whether the whole tooth came out. A baby tooth lost early usually needs no treatment.
Should I go to the ER or a dentist for a knocked-out tooth?
Call a dentist first if you can reach one, and bring the tooth. Go to the ER for trouble breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop after 15 minutes of pressure, a possible broken jaw, or a hard blow to the head, or if no dentist can be reached.
What if I can't find my knocked-out tooth?
A tooth you can't find may have been swallowed or breathed in. A swallowed tooth is usually harmless, but a tooth in the airway can cause a lung infection, so tell a doctor if you think you breathed it in. Go to an ER if you have trouble breathing, and call us either way.
How much does it cost to fix a knocked-out tooth?
The cost depends on what the tooth needs, and you'll know the plan before treatment starts. We accept PPO plans, offer financing, and have an in-office plan for patients without insurance. Ask about cost when you call.
Get help for a knocked-out tooth now
Call (310) 926-6825. Our phone is answered 24/7, and we’ll tell you what to do right now and get you scheduled. You can also request an appointment online.
Our office is at 2511 Artesia Blvd A in Redondo Beach, close to Torrance, Hawthorne, Gardena and Manhattan Beach, with a parking lot on site.