Broken or Knocked Out Tooth

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Broken or Knocked Out Tooth: First Aid

Save any tooth that has been knocked out for possible reimplantation. Bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less chance there is for successful reimplantation.

1. Handle the tooth only by the crown (chewing edge).
2. If dirty or bloody, gently rinse the tooth with your own saliva.

1. Try to replace the tooth in the socket, to the level of adjacent teeth. Bite down gently on gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep it in place. The surrounding teeth can be used as anchors. Care must be taken not to swallow the tooth.
2. If your tooth cannot be replaced in the socket, place the tooth in a container and cover with a small amount of whole milk or your saliva. The tooth can also be rinsed and carried between your lower lip and lower gum or under your tongue.
3. The Save-A-Tooth storage device can be purchased at many pharmacies. It contains a travel case and fluid solution. Consider buying one for your home first aid kit.

1. Apply a cold compress to the mouth and gums for pain.
2. Apply direct pressure, using gauze, to control bleeding.
3. Get dental help immediately. The sooner dental attention is received, the better the chances are for successful reimplantation.

If a tooth has only been chipped or fractured, then immediate dental attention may -- or may not -- be necessary. Teeth that have been badly fractured may expose nerve tissue inside the tooth. In this case, immediate attention is needed to avoid infection, abscess, and pain.

Simple chips or fractures may be tended to on a non-emergency basis, but should still be fixed in order to avoid sharp edges that can cut the lips or tongue, and for cosmetic reasons.