May 19, 2025
Knocked-Out Tooth? A Step-by-Step Emergency Guide in Smyrna, GA
By Dr. Natasha Kanchwala, DMD
It’s one of the most frightening dental emergencies imaginable: a sudden impact during a game, a fall, or an accident, and a permanent tooth is completely knocked out of its socket. In this critical situation, panic can easily set in, but what you do in the next few minutes can determine whether the tooth can be saved.
The first 30-60 minutes are the most critical window. At Smyrna Dental Studio, we want to empower you with a calm, clear action plan. Follow these steps precisely to give yourself or your loved one the best possible chance of saving a knocked-out tooth.
Your Step-by-Step Action Plan: The First 30 Minutes Are Critical
Step 1: Find the Tooth and Handle it by the Crown
ONLY Carefully pick up the tooth by the white, chewing surface (the crown). Do NOT touch the root (the pointy, yellowish part). The root is covered in delicate ligament cells that are essential for reattachment.
Step 2: Gently Rinse the Tooth (Do NOT Scrub)
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it for a few seconds under a slow stream of cold water or with milk. Do NOT scrub, use soap, or wipe it with a cloth, as this will damage the living cells on the root.
Step 3: Attempt to Reinsert the Tooth
This is the best way to keep the tooth alive. If possible, gently push the tooth back into the empty socket. Once it's in place, have the person hold it there by gently biting down on a clean cloth or piece of sterile gauze.
Step 4: Keep the Tooth Moist at All Costs
If you cannot reinsert the tooth, you must keep it moist. This is the most crucial step for its survival.
Best Option: Place the tooth in a small container of milk.
Good Option: Have the person place the tooth in their mouth between their cheek and gum. (Be careful with young children to avoid swallowing it.)
Do NOT use plain water for storage, as it can damage the root cells.
Step 5: Call Our Smyrna Office Immediately
This is a true dental emergency. Call us right away and let us know you are on your way with a knocked-out tooth. The sooner you can get to a dentist, the better the prognosis.
What NOT to Do: Common Mistakes That Can Cost You a Tooth
Do NOT let the tooth dry out.
Do NOT handle the root of the tooth.
Do NOT scrub the tooth or clean it with chemicals.
Do NOT wrap the tooth in a tissue or cloth.
Do NOT wait to see if it "gets better."
FAQs: Your Urgent Questions About a Knocked-Out Tooth
Q1: Does this apply to a knocked-out baby tooth? No. You should NEVER try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth. This can cause permanent damage to the adult tooth that is developing underneath the gums. If your child loses a baby tooth due to trauma, you should still call us for an emergency visit to check for other damage to their mouth and jaw.
Q2: What if I can't find milk to store the tooth in? If milk is not available, having the patient hold the tooth in their mouth between their cheek and gum is the next best option to keep it in saliva. A Save-a-Tooth® emergency preservation kit, often found in first-aid kits, is also excellent.
Q3: The tooth was out for over an hour. Is it too late? While the chances of successfully saving the tooth decrease significantly after 60 minutes, you should always bring the tooth to our office regardless. We will always attempt to save it if there is any chance of success. If reimplantation is not viable, we will manage the site and discuss the best options for replacement, such as a dental implant.
Q4: How will the dentist save the tooth once I get there? If you arrive quickly, we will gently clean the socket, reinsert the tooth if it's not already, and then stabilize it. We do this by placing a flexible splint, which gently bonds the injured tooth to its stable neighbors. This acts like a small cast, holding the tooth securely in place for a few weeks while the ligaments heal and reattach.
A Knocked-Out Tooth Is a Race Against the Clock
When a permanent tooth is knocked out, time is your enemy. By staying calm, following these steps precisely, and seeking immediate professional care, you give yourself the best possible chance to save your natural smile.
If you or a loved one in the Smyrna area has a knocked-out tooth, stop what you are doing and call Smyrna Dental Studio immediately. We are prepared to handle this emergency.
