Knocked-out Permanent Tooth
Keep the tooth in milk, call us immediately, and time becomes the thing that matters.
An adult tooth knocked completely out of its socket, usually from a fall, a collision, or sport. This is the one dental situation where minutes genuinely change the outcome.
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently with milk or water, do not scrub it. Put it in a cup of milk, call (916) 782-5503, and come straight to the office.
A permanent tooth that is replanted quickly can reattach and survive for years. One that dries out usually cannot be saved, which is why the milk and the phone call matter more than anything else you do.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about knocked-out permanent tooth.
As fast as you safely can. The first hour matters most, and the chance of saving the tooth drops steadily after that.
If your child is calm and old enough, an adult tooth can sometimes be slipped back into the socket. Never attempt this with a baby tooth, and never force it.
Do not put a baby tooth back in, as it can damage the adult tooth developing above it. Still call us, because the socket and neighboring teeth need checking.
Come in anyway. It may be fractured, pushed up into the gum, or swallowed, and all of those need looking at.
Yes. Milk keeps the root cells alive far longer than water does. Saliva works too, so holding it in the cheek is an option for an older child.