Blog Post

Having a tooth knocked out of your mouth is usually a jarring and unpleasant experience. You might be in some pain, and you have to manage that, paired with your newfound concern about the gap in your smile.

Don’t panic. We’re here to help. Sandi E. Silva, DDS, offers emergency dentistry services specifically for situations like this. She can meet you at our office in Tustin, California, as soon as possible to attempt to replant the tooth. 

How successful that effort is depends on two things: timing and your care of the knocked-out tooth. 

Act fast to save the tooth

A knocked-out tooth—also called an avulsed tooth—can often be saved, but time is of the essence. If you can get the tooth replanted within 30 minutes, it has a pretty good chance of rerooting. 

Even after the hour mark, you might still be able to save the tooth. The key is to get to a dentist right away. Call our office immediately so we can let Dr. Silva know you need emergency care. She then meets you at our office as soon as possible to help you increase your odds of preserving your natural tooth. 

Steps to take after your tooth gets knocked out

The first thing you should do after your tooth comes out is to try and locate it. Don’t swallow until you’re sure the tooth isn’t in your mouth. Then, scan the surrounding area to find the knocked-out tooth.

If you find the tooth, pick it up by the chewing surface, not the root. In fact, throughout this process, be careful not to touch the root at all or damage it in any way. That part of your tooth has living cells that play a key role in successfully replanting the tooth.

Place a towel in your sink, then gently rinse the tooth with running water. The towel prevents you from damaging the tooth if you drop it or from accidentally losing it down the drain. 

Once the tooth is clean, try to put it back in its socket. If you can get it back in, bite down gently on a piece of gauze to keep it in place until you see Dr. Silva. 

If you can’t get the tooth back in the socket, put it in a cup and fully cover it with either your saliva or milk. 

In short, if your tooth gets knocked out, your to-dos are to find the tooth, prevent it from further damage, and see Dr. Silva as soon as possible. Call our office to get the emergency dental care you need.