A knocked-out or broken tooth can be stressful, but quick action can make a difference. The best first step depends on whether the tooth is completely knocked out, cracked, chipped, loose, or painful.
If you have a dental injury, call a dentist as soon as possible for advice and emergency appointment availability.
What should you do if an adult tooth is knocked out?
If an adult tooth is completely knocked out, time is important. Hold the tooth by the crown, which is the white part you normally see in the mouth. Avoid touching the root.
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline if available. Do not scrub the root, remove tissue fragments, or let the tooth dry out.
Should you put a knocked-out tooth back in?
For an adult tooth, placing it back into the socket may help in some situations, but only if the person is conscious, calm and able to do so safely. If you are unsure, store the tooth in milk and call a dentist immediately.
Do not place a baby tooth back into the socket, as this may damage the developing adult tooth underneath.
How should you store a knocked-out tooth?
If the tooth cannot be placed back safely, keep it moist. Milk is often a good option. If milk is not available, ask the dentist for advice. Do not store the tooth dry in tissue or a plastic bag.
Bring the tooth with you to the appointment.
What should you do for a broken or chipped tooth?
If a tooth is broken or chipped, rinse your mouth gently with warm water and avoid chewing on that side. If you can find the broken fragment, bring it with you.
Call a dentist promptly, especially if there is pain, sensitivity, a sharp edge, bleeding, swelling, or the break is large.
When is a broken tooth urgent?
A broken tooth may need urgent dental care if:
- The tooth is very painful
- The tooth is loose or has moved position
- There is bleeding that does not settle
- The nerve appears exposed
- There is swelling or facial injury
- The tooth broke after a fall, sport injury or accident
- You cannot bite normally
What if the injury happened during sport?
Sport injuries can cause chipped, cracked, loose or knocked-out teeth. If there was a knock to the head, loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion, severe bleeding or jaw injury, seek urgent medical care immediately.
For dental injuries, call a dentist as soon as possible after the injury.
What treatment might be needed?
Treatment depends on the injury. Options may include smoothing a sharp edge, bonding, a filling, a crown, root canal treatment, splinting a loose tooth, extraction, or referral if the injury is complex.
The dentist will assess the tooth, surrounding gums, bite and may recommend X-rays before advising treatment.
Can broken teeth be prevented?
Some dental injuries cannot be predicted, but custom mouthguards can reduce the risk of dental trauma during contact sport. Regular dental check-ups can also identify weakened, cracked or heavily filled teeth before they break further.
Book emergency dental care in Lara
If you or your child has a knocked-out, loose or broken tooth, call Lara Dental Prime for advice and emergency appointment availability.
Learn more about emergency dentist appointments in Lara, broken tooth advice, or call 03 5282 2222.