Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do Right Now
Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do Right Now
If a tooth is knocked out, act fast: pick it up by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently, and try to place it back in the socket. If you cannot, keep it in milk and call McElroy Smiles in Encinitas at (760) 621-8700 immediately. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved within the first hour.
Step one: handle it carefully
Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. The root surface is delicate, and handling it can lower the chance of saving the tooth.
Step two: rinse it gently
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Do not scrub it, and do not remove any attached tissue. Gentle is the rule here.
Step three: reinsert or store it
If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it. If you cannot, keep it moist in a small container of milk, which preserves it far better than water.
Step four: get seen immediately
Call us right away at (760) 621-8700 and come in. Time is the biggest factor, and the first hour gives the best chance of saving the tooth. We keep same-day room for emergencies.
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Pick the tooth up by the crown, rinse it gently, and try to place it back in the socket. If you cannot, keep it in milk and call McElroy Smiles at (760) 621-8700 right away. The first hour gives the best chance of saving it.
Often, yes, especially if you act within the first hour and keep the tooth moist in milk or its socket. Call us immediately so we can see you the same day. Quick action makes the biggest difference.
