What to Do With a Knocked Out Tooth

Teeth with gap of missing tooth close-up. Doctor man checking teeth

We should all be thankful that our bodies are equipped to heal themselves in most circumstances.

But how do we handle the more complicated injuries, such as a knocked out tooth?

On average, 3 to 5 million teeth are knocked out during sporting events. Which gets you thinking, how does one recover from getting an avulsed tooth?

We’re here to walk you through the entire process and what to do with a knocked out tooth.

So take a moment to read this article and get everything you need about the topic today!

What To Do if You Knock Out a Baby Tooth

If you have a knocked out tooth, it is important to seek dental help immediately. However, it is not that much of an emergency if it is a baby tooth.

Baby teeth are meant to be replaced by your permanent tooth, so you can rest assured that the empty gap in your gums will be filled in soon enough.

However, it is better if you still went to your family dentist to see whether there is deeper damage.

What To Do if You Knock Out a Permanent Tooth

If you knock out a permanent tooth, it’s important to act fast.

First, find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, or top part. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it off with water. If you can, try to reinsert the tooth back in its socket. If that isn’t possible, store the tooth in a clean container of milk. Time is of the essence, so get to a dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.

The dentist may be able to reinsert the tooth, or you may need to have a replacement tooth, called a bridge, implanted.

Knocked Out Tooth Replacement Options

When replanting a tooth after it is knocked out is not an option, there are a few choices for replacement.

A dental implant is one option. In this procedure, a metal post is surgically implanted into the jawbone to serve as a new root for the artificial tooth.

Another option is a tooth-supported fixed bridge. This device uses the adjacent teeth for support and replaces the missing tooth with a false tooth.

A removable partial denture is also an option. This device is a plate with a false tooth attached that clips onto the adjacent teeth.

Time Is of the Essence

Always remember a knocked out tooth is a medical emergency. Pick up your tooth or teeth immediately and place them in milk. Call your dentist right away and tell him or her the situation so that you would know what to do next. If it’s a milk tooth, do some first aid, and relax as your permanent teeth will grow in the gap it leaves. If the knocked out tooth is permanent, you may want to ask your dentist for tooth replacement options if it couldn’t be reinserted.

Did this article teach you what to do when your tooth gets knocked out? Keep reading our blog for other helpful topics!