Knocked Out Tooth Care: What to Do If Your Tooth Is Knocked Out?

If you read this article, you most likely fall into one of the following categories:

  • You just had an accident that caused you to lose a tooth
  • You want to know what are the best steps to follow if you suffer such an accident in the future

No matter what category you are in, Dr. Mary Qian, along with the team of professionals at Mary Qian Dental Group, is here to give you the best advice you need to follow in case you lose a tooth in an accident.

Steps for Recovering/Saving the Tooth

If you have an accident that causes you to lose a tooth, you should not panic, because that does not mean the tooth is lost forever. When a tooth is knocked out of your mouth, all the structures around it are impared. This means that all the blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissue around the lost tooth will be severely damaged.

Unfortunately, the nerves and blood vessels cannot be repaired by the dentist, so a root canal therapy process must be performed on the knocked-out tooth.


Fortunately, however, the jaw bone can be reattached to the root of the tooth. For the tooth to be saved, it is important to avoid damaging it even more.

The recommendations given by Dr. Mary Qian are as follows:

  • Avoid touching the root of the tooth with your fingers. The root of the tooth is the part of the tooth that is under the gum, and this part is very sensitive and can be damaged very easily
  • Try to lift the tooth from the crown to avoid creating new damage
  • Rinse the tooth with milk if it is dirty. If you do not have milk, you can also use water
  • Avoid wiping the tooth with a piece of cloth, as this can cause new damage 

Store the Tooth or Put It Back in the Socket

Once you have recovered your tooth safely, you need to store it in a place that will prolong its life as much as possible.

The best options are:

  • A glass of milk. It is essential to keep the tooth moist, and a glass of milk is perfect for this. If you don't have milk on hand, a glass of water should be enough too
  • If you have no milk or water on hand, try putting your tooth in your mouth, between your cheek and gums
  • Try to place the tooth back in the socket. Make sure it is in the correct position. If it does not come in easily, there is no need to apply pressure and try to force it in, as this can cause more damage. Better follow the steps above until you get to a dentist

Contact Your Dentist Right Away

The most important thing to do when you suffer from a knocked-out tooth is not to panic.

An experienced dentist, such as Dr. Mary Qian, can easily place your tooth in an emergency dentistry procedure performed at Mary Qian Dental Group.

That is why it is important not to waste time after the accident and to seek the help of a dentist immediately.

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