How to Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Before Seeing the Dentist?

A knocked-out tooth is one of the most serious dental emergencies. It can happen suddenly—during a fall, sports injury, or accident. While it may feel scary or painful, staying calm and acting quickly is the best thing you can do.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through simple, easy-to-follow steps to handle a knocked-out tooth before reaching your emergency dentist. Acting fast could mean the difference between saving and losing your tooth.

Why Is a Knocked-Out Tooth an Emergency?

When a tooth is knocked out (also called “tooth avulsion”), the nerves, blood vessels, and supporting tissues are damaged. However, if you get to an emergency dentist within 30 to 60 minutes, there's a good chance your natural tooth can be saved.

That’s why contacting your emergency dentist Burwood as soon as possible is important. But before you get to the clinic, there are things you can do to protect the tooth.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Immediately

Here’s what you should do the moment a tooth is knocked out:

1. Stay Calm and Act Fast

Try not to panic. The first 30 minutes are crucial. Acting quickly improves the chance of saving your tooth.

2. Find the Tooth

Look for the tooth right away. Be gentle when picking it up. Always hold it by the crown—the part that’s visible in your mouth—not the root.

Why? Touching the root can damage important cells needed for reattachment.

3. Clean the Tooth (If Dirty)

If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with clean water for a few seconds. Do not scrub, use soap, or dry it with a cloth or paper towel.

4. Try to Put the Tooth Back In

If possible, place the tooth back into its socket in the correct position. Gently push it in using light pressure and bite down softly on a cloth to hold it in place.

Note: Only try this if the person is conscious and not in danger of choking.

5. Keep the Tooth Moist

If you can’t reinsert the tooth, keep it moist at all times. Use one of these methods:

What NOT to Do

Here are things you should avoid:

• Don’t touch or scrub the root

• Don’t let the tooth dry out

• Don’t use alcohol or disinfectant

• Don’t wait too long to call the emergency dentist

When to Visit an Emergency Dentist

Go to an emergency dentist Burwood immediately—ideally within 30 minutes. However, teeth can sometimes still be saved even after an hour, so don’t give up hope.

Let the dental clinic know you’re coming and that it’s a knocked-out tooth. This will help them prepare and treat you faster.

What Happens at the Dental Clinic?

At the emergency dentist office, here’s what you can expect:

1. Examination: The dentist will check your mouth and tooth socket.

2. Tooth Re-implantation: If you haven’t already done so, the dentist will place the tooth back into its position.

3. Stabilisation: The tooth will be attached to nearby teeth using a splint to keep it stable.

4. Follow-Up: After a few weeks, the dentist will remove the splint and monitor healing. A root canal may be needed later.

Can a Baby Tooth Be Saved?

Knocked-out baby teeth are not usually replanted because doing so can harm the growing adult tooth underneath. Still, it's important to visit your emergency dentist Burwood for an evaluation and advice.

When Is a Tooth Less Likely to Be Saved?

Saving the tooth depends on:

• How soon you see a dentist

• How the tooth was stored

• Whether the tooth or socket was damaged

• The patient’s age and overall oral health

The longer the tooth stays dry or outside the mouth, the less chance it has of reattaching successfully.

How to Avoid Knocked-Out Teeth

Prevention is always better. Here are a few simple steps to protect your smile:

• Wear a mouthguard during contact sports or activities

• Avoid chewing hard objects like ice, pens, or hard candies

• Use protective gear during physical work or cycling

• Take care of your teeth with regular checkups and good oral hygiene

Your local emergency dentist can also help you get fitted for a custom sports mouthguard.

Final Thoughts

A knocked-out tooth is serious, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. If you act fast, keep the tooth safe, and get to your emergency dentist Burwood, there’s a real chance of saving your natural tooth.

Knowing what to do in those first moments makes all the difference. Share this information with family and friends—because you never know when it could happen.