Knocked-Out Tooth

A blow to the mouth, a fall, sport, or another accident can displace a tooth. The injury may also affect the socket, gums, lips, or nearby teeth, so the whole mouth needs checking.

Hold the tooth by its crown, avoid touching the root, and gently rinse it if it is dirty. If possible, place it back in the socket without forcing it. Otherwise keep it in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution and seek emergency dental care immediately.

The dentist checks the empty socket, the displaced tooth, surrounding soft tissues, and neighbouring teeth. The examination establishes the injury pattern and guides the urgent plan.

Emergency care aims to manage the displaced tooth and injured socket as quickly as possible. The dentist will explain whether repositioning and stabilising the tooth is suitable and what follow-up care is needed.

Use a mouthguard for activities with a risk of impact and address hazards that can cause falls or blows to the mouth. Prevention matters because an avulsed tooth needs immediate handling and urgent care.

Tooth pain, bleeding, facial injury, and a damaged neighbouring tooth can occur with the same accident. Tell the dental team about every symptom rather than focusing only on the missing tooth.

Time and careful handling affect the urgent pathway. Keep the tooth moist, avoid the root, and contact dental emergency services without waiting to see whether the socket settles.