Tooth Knocked Out (Avulsed Tooth)
Overview
- This is typically caused by falls, sports-related trauma or injuries, fights, car accidents, and biting on hard food (such as stale bread, toffee and un-popped or partially popped popcorn kernels). Try to save the tooth and take it to the dentist promptly
Management (Medline Plus and NHS)
- Never put a baby (deciduous) tooth back in — it can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Store it in milk or saliva and see a dentist
- For an adult tooth: place the tooth back in the mouth where it fell out, so it is level with other teeth. Bite down gently on gauze or a wet teabag and be careful not to swallow it
- If this is not possible, place the tooth in a container and cover it with some cow’s milk or saliva (belonging to the tooth owner) or hold the tooth between your lower lip and gum, or under your tongue (if an adult)
- If there is bleeding, apply pressure using gauze to stop this
- A cold compress on the outside of the mouth may ease pain
- An inability to close the upper and lower teeth together as normal could suggest a fractured jaw (requiring urgent medical attention)
- A chipped or broken tooth that does not require emergency care still needs to be assessed and fixed by a dental practitioner to remove any sharp edges that could cut or cause ulceration
- NHS states that if it is a baby tooth, it should not be put back in as this could damage the tooth growing underneath
What NOT to do
- Do NOT handle the tooth roots; rinse it in cold water for more than 10 seconds, scrape or wipe the tooth roots to remove dirt (or try to brush or clean the tooth with alcohol or antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide) or let the tooth dry out