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If there is heavy bleeding, a jaw injury, facial swelling, trouble breathing or a head injury, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
For a knocked-out adult tooth, commonly recommended first steps are:
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing part), not the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Do not scrub it.
- If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite on clean gauze. If not, keep it in milk or in the person’s cheek (not for young children).
- See a dentist as quickly as possible — time matters.
Baby teeth are usually not put back in; call your child’s dentist.
For a chipped or broken tooth, save any pieces, rinse with warm water and contact a dentist. See also our dental emergency tips and emergency dentists in Los Angeles.
A few points that often get missed with a knocked-out or broken tooth:
- Speed matters most for a knocked-out adult tooth. Call a dentist right away rather than waiting until morning if you can reach one; many offices have an after-hours line on their voicemail.
- Keep the tooth moist. Milk or the person’s own saliva is better than letting it dry out. Avoid tap water storage for long periods and never wrap it in a dry tissue.
- Don’t try to re-insert a baby tooth. It can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call the child’s dentist instead.
- Cracked or chipped teeth can feel fine at first and become sensitive later, so it is still worth having them checked even if pain is mild.
- Check for other injuries. A blow hard enough to knock out a tooth can also injure the jaw or head. Dizziness, confusion, vomiting or trouble opening the mouth need emergency medical care first.
If you are unsure how urgent your situation is, our dental emergency checker walks through common symptoms and suggests whether to call a dentist today, book soon, or seek emergency care.
General education only, not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Please see a licensed dentist about your own situation. For a medical emergency (trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding, a major injury or rapidly spreading swelling), call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
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