In brief
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (the white chewing part), never the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water without scrubbing. If you can, place it gently back into its socket and hold it there; if not, keep it in milk or in saliva, such as inside the cheek. See a dentist immediately — ideally within 30 to 60 minutes. Do not reinsert a baby tooth; keep it out and see a dentist promptly.
Key takeaways
- Handle the tooth only by the crown — touching the root damages the cells that allow reattachment.
- Rinse briefly if dirty; never scrub, wrap in tissue or let the tooth dry out.
- Reinserting the tooth into its socket immediately gives the best odds.
- Milk is the best common storage liquid; plain water is a last resort.
If a permanent (adult) tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, not the root, rinse it briefly if it is dirty without scrubbing, and try to put it back in its socket. If you cannot, keep it moist in milk or saliva and see a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes. Baby teeth are different: do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back in, but do see a dentist promptly.
A knocked-out tooth is one of the few dental emergencies where what you do in the first minutes can decide whether the tooth can be saved. This guide explains the steps in order, why timing matters, how to handle baby teeth, what the dentist will do, and what recovery and follow-up usually look like.
What should you do right away if a tooth is knocked out?
Stay as calm as you can. Check first that the person is otherwise okay, then follow these steps.
Step 1: Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown
The crown is the white part you normally see in the mouth. The root is the part that sits in the gum. The root surface is covered in delicate living cells that help the tooth reattach. Touching, scrubbing or drying the root can damage them.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown only.
- Do not wipe or scrape the root.
- Do not wrap the tooth in tissue, paper towel or cloth, which can dry it out.
Step 2: Rinse briefly, only if it is dirty
If the tooth has dirt on it, rinse it for a few seconds with milk or cool water.
- Do not use soap or any cleaning products.
- Do not scrub the tooth.
- Do not try to remove attached tissue.
- If the tooth looks clean, skip rinsing.
If you are near a sink, put the plug in first so the tooth cannot fall down the drain.
Step 3: Try to put it back in the socket
Putting the tooth back in place as soon as possible gives it the best chance.
- Make sure the tooth is facing the right way, matching the teeth beside it.
- Gently push it back into the socket with your fingers.
- Once it is in place, have the person bite softly on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it there.
If the tooth will not go in easily, do not force it. Move on to Step 4.
This step is only for adult teeth. Never put a baby tooth back in.
Step 4: If you cannot put it back, keep it moist
A tooth that dries out is much less likely to survive. Keep it moist on the way to the dentist:
- Milk is the best choice most people have on hand. Place the tooth in a small container of cold milk.
- Saliva also works. An older child or adult who is calm can hold the tooth inside their cheek, between the cheek and gums. You can also have the person spit into a small cup and place the tooth in the saliva.
- Water is a last resort. It is better than letting the tooth dry out, but it is not as good as milk or saliva.
Young children should not hold a tooth in their mouth, because they could swallow it. Use milk instead.
Do not store the tooth on ice or in a dry container.
Step 5: See a dentist immediately
Call a dental office right away and head there as soon as you can. The goal is to be seen within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury, sooner if possible. Calling ahead lets the team know you are coming. Bring the tooth with you, even if you were able to put it back in its socket.
What mistakes should you avoid with a knocked-out tooth?
In the rush of an injury, a few common reactions can lower the chance of saving the tooth:
- Holding the tooth by the root. Always pick it up by the crown.
- Scrubbing or disinfecting it. A brief rinse is enough. Soap, alcohol and brushing damage the root surface.
- Wrapping it in a tissue or napkin. This dries the tooth out quickly.
- Carrying it dry in a pocket or bag. Keep it in milk or saliva instead.
- Waiting to see if it feels better. An adult tooth that has been knocked out needs care right away, even if there is little pain.
- Putting a baby tooth back in. Only adult teeth should be replanted.
What if the tooth is loose or pushed out of place, but not knocked out?
Not every injury knocks a tooth fully out. A tooth may be loosened, pushed backward or forward, pushed up into the gum, or partly pulled out of its socket. These injuries also need prompt dental care.
- Do not try to wiggle the tooth to test it.
- If an adult tooth is slightly out of position and it moves easily, you can gently guide it back toward its normal position with light finger pressure. Do not force it.
- Bite gently on clean gauze to keep it still, and avoid chewing on it.
- Call a dental office right away so the tooth can be examined and, if needed, repositioned and stabilized.
A chipped or cracked tooth after a fall should also be checked. If you find any broken pieces, keep them in milk and bring them along.
Why is timing so important?
The cells on the root surface begin to die once the tooth is out of the mouth, and they die faster when the tooth dries out. The longer the tooth is out, and the drier it is, the lower the chance that it will reattach well.
That is why the first half hour to hour matters so much. A tooth that is put back in quickly, or kept in milk or saliva, has a much better chance than one that sits dry in a pocket.
Even if more time has passed, still bring the tooth. The dentist will assess the tooth and the socket and decide what is possible. This is one of the clearest examples of what counts as a dental emergency.
What should you do if a child knocks out a baby tooth?
Baby teeth are handled differently.
- Do not put a baby tooth back in. Pushing it back into the socket can damage the adult tooth developing in the bone underneath.
- Control bleeding by having the child bite gently on a clean, folded piece of gauze or cloth.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the lip or cheek to help with swelling.
- Comfort your child. Falls and injuries can be frightening, and a calm voice helps.
- Contact a dentist promptly. The dentist will check for damage to the socket, nearby teeth, lips and gums, and whether any part of the tooth is still in the gum.
If you are not sure whether the tooth is a baby tooth or an adult tooth, keep it in milk and call a dental office for advice. In general, children begin losing their front baby teeth around age six, but timing varies. The dentist can tell you which kind of tooth it is.
When should you go to the hospital instead?
A blow hard enough to knock out a tooth can cause other injuries. Seek emergency medical care first, before the dental office, if the person has:
- lost consciousness, even briefly,
- confusion, drowsiness, vomiting or a severe headache,
- a suspected broken jaw, or cannot close their mouth normally,
- deep cuts to the face, lips or tongue,
- bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma or other potentially life-threatening symptoms. If the tooth is found, keep it in milk and bring it along. The decision is covered in more detail in emergency dentist or hospital.
What will the dentist do?
When you arrive, the dentist will focus on saving the tooth if possible and checking for other injuries.
Examination and X-rays
The dentist will look at the socket, the surrounding teeth, gums and lips, and ask how the injury happened. X-rays help check for fractures of the tooth or jaw and damage to neighbouring teeth.
Replanting the tooth
If the tooth is suitable, the dentist will usually numb the area, gently clean the socket and tooth, and place the tooth back in position. If you already put the tooth back, the dentist will check that it is seated correctly.
Splinting
The tooth is often held in place with a flexible splint bonded to the neighbouring teeth for a short period. This keeps it stable while the gum and supporting fibres heal.
Follow-up care
A replanted adult tooth usually needs close follow-up. In many cases, the nerve inside the tooth does not survive the injury, so root canal treatment is often needed, sometimes within a few weeks. Your dentist will explain the timing for your situation.
The dentist may also check that your tetanus protection is up to date if the tooth touched soil, and may discuss whether other medications are needed.
What is recovery like after a tooth is replanted?
Recovery varies, but these general guidelines often apply:
- Eat soft foods for a while, and avoid biting directly on the injured tooth.
- Keep the area clean. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and follow any rinse instructions your dentist gives.
- Manage discomfort with pain relief your dentist or pharmacist recommends.
- Avoid contact sports until your dentist says it is safe.
- Attend all follow-up visits. The tooth is usually monitored over months, and sometimes longer, to confirm that the root is healing and that no problems develop.
Let your dentist know if you notice increasing pain, swelling, a bad taste, or a change in the colour of the tooth.
What if the tooth cannot be saved?
Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved, even with excellent first aid. It may have been out too long, be too badly damaged, or fail to reattach over time.
Losing a tooth is not the end of the story. Once the area has healed, there are several ways to replace it, including a dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture. Each option has different benefits, timelines and costs. Options for replacing one missing tooth explains how they compare. For young people whose jaws are still growing, the dentist may suggest a temporary solution until growth is complete.
How can you prevent a tooth from being knocked out?
Not every accident can be avoided, but these steps lower the risk:
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and activities with a risk of falls or collisions, such as hockey, football, basketball, martial arts and skateboarding. A custom mouthguard made by a dental office usually fits better and is more comfortable than a store-bought one.
- Use seat belts and car seats every trip.
- Childproof your home for toddlers, for example with stair gates and padding on sharp furniture corners.
- Do not use your teeth as tools to open bottles or packages.
- Treat protruding front teeth or bite issues if your dentist recommends it, since teeth that stick out are more likely to be injured.
What should be in a dental first aid kit?
If your family plays sports or you coach a team, a small kit can help in the minutes that matter:
- a small, clean container with a lid,
- a small carton of milk or saline for storing a tooth, if practical,
- clean gauze,
- a cold pack,
- gloves,
- your dental office’s phone number.
Keep the kit in a sports bag or car so it is on hand when you need it.
Getting help for a knocked-out tooth in Cornwall
York Street Dental Centre is at 118 York Street in Cornwall and is open Monday to Friday. If a tooth has been knocked out during our office hours, call us right away so we can advise you on the next step. Our emergency dentistry page explains how we handle urgent concerns. Outside our hours, or if there are signs of a head injury or other serious injury, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
We see patients of all ages from Cornwall neighbourhoods such as Riverdale, Churchill Heights and Glenview Heights, as well as from nearby Cornwall Island (Akwesasne) and Glen Walter. Dr. Topouzov is a general family dentist and can see children and adults, and no referral is needed.
Contact us right away
If a tooth has been knocked out or injured, call York Street Dental Centre immediately at (613) 932-1620. For follow-up care or a checkup after an injury, you can also request an appointment or find our details on the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
The tooth was dry for over an hour. Is it hopeless?
Not automatically. Success rates fall considerably, but a dentist may still attempt replantation depending on the situation. Bring the tooth in milk regardless — the final judgment belongs to the examining dentist.
Does replanting a tooth hurt?
The area is usually numbed before the tooth is repositioned and splinted. Discomfort afterward is typically manageable with standard pain relief.
Will a replanted tooth need more treatment?
Usually yes. Most replanted adult teeth eventually need root canal treatment because the nerve does not survive the injury, and the tooth is monitored over months to confirm the root is healing properly.
What if I cannot find the tooth?
Seek care anyway. The dentist needs to check the socket, rule out fragments in the lips or soft tissue, and confirm the tooth was not pushed into the gum — an X-ray answers these questions.
Should a knocked-out baby tooth be put back in?
No. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back into the socket, because doing so can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Press gently on the area with clean gauze to control bleeding, comfort your child, and contact a dentist promptly so the mouth can be checked for other injuries.
Can I store a knocked-out tooth in water?
Water is a last resort. It is better than letting the tooth dry out, but milk or saliva is a better choice because plain water can damage the cells on the root surface over time. If you have milk, use it. Otherwise, the person can hold the tooth inside their cheek if they are old enough not to swallow it.
Sources
- American Association of Endodontists — Knocked-Out Tooth
- Canadian Dental Association — Dental Emergencies
- Cleveland Clinic — Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth
About the author
This article was written by the York Street Dental Centre Team and reviewed for clinical accuracy by the York Street Dental Centre dental team. York Street Dental Centre is a family dental office at 118 York Street, Cornwall, Ontario K6J 3Y8, providing general, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care for patients of all ages.
Our articles explain common dental questions in plain language, cite reputable health and government sources where relevant, and are updated when guidance changes. Read our editorial policy or learn more about our practice.
This content is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or personalized treatment recommendation from a dental professional.