A knocked-out tooth can often be saved, but only if you act within the first hour. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently, and try to place it back in the socket right away. If you cannot, keep it in milk and get to a dentist within about an hour. For a cracked or broken tooth, save any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water, and call us. Quick, calm action in those first minutes is what gives the tooth its best chance.

A tooth that has been knocked out

A fully knocked-out adult tooth is one of the few true dental emergencies where minutes matter. The nerve and tissue at the root start to die once the tooth is out of the socket, so the window to save it is roughly an hour, sometimes a little more if you store it well. Here is what to do:

  • Pick it up by the crown. That is the white part you normally chew with. Never touch the root, because the cells on it are what allow the tooth to reattach.
  • Rinse it gently. If it is dirty, hold it under milk or saline for a few seconds. Do not scrub it, do not use soap, and do not dry it off.
  • Try to put it back. Ease it into the socket the right way around and bite down softly on a clean cloth to hold it. A tooth kept in its socket survives best.
  • If you cannot reseat it, keep it wet. Tuck it inside your cheek, or put it in a cup of milk. Plain water is a last resort because it damages the root cells. Never let the tooth dry out.
  • Get to a dentist right away. Call us on the way so we are ready for you.

A baby tooth that gets knocked out is different. You generally do not try to put a baby tooth back, because doing so can harm the permanent tooth forming underneath. Call us and we will tell you what to do.

A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth

A broken tooth is not always an emergency, but it can be, especially if it hurts, bleeds, or has a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek. While you arrange to be seen:

  • Save any pieces of the tooth you can find and bring them with you.
  • Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
  • If there is bleeding, press a clean piece of gauze on it for about ten minutes.
  • Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to ease swelling.
  • Cover a sharp edge with a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax so it does not cut you.

How we fix it depends on how deep the damage goes. A small chip might just need smoothing or bonding, while a larger break often calls for a crown to protect what is left. We explain that restoration in our post on what a dental crown does.

How to tell whether it is an emergency

Severe pain, heavy bleeding, a tooth that has been knocked out or pushed loose, or a fracture that exposes the inside of the tooth all mean you should be seen the same day. A small chip with no pain can usually wait a day or two, but it should still be checked so a minor problem does not turn into a bigger one. If you are unsure, our guide on whether a toothache is an emergency walks through the warning signs, and you can always call and we will help you decide.

If nerves are part of what is holding you back

Dental injuries are stressful enough without the worry of treatment on top. If anxiety has kept you away from the dentist before, know that we offer sedation options that keep you calm and comfortable while we take care of the problem.

We are here when an accident happens

Dental injuries do not wait for convenient timing, and neither do we. If you or someone in your family has knocked out, cracked, or broken a tooth, call Estrada Dentistry at (727) 869-3886 right away so we can get you seen. You can learn more on our emergency dental care page, and Dr. Estrada and the team will do everything we can to save the tooth and get you out of pain.