Dental Trauma

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true emergency, and what you do in the first 30 to 60 minutes gives the best chance of saving it. Follow the steps below and call us immediately.

All Dental Emergencies

How to Save a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Move quickly but calmly. Here's exactly what to do.

Pick it up by the crown

Handle only the white part. Never touch or scrub the root.

Rinse briefly if dirty

A quick rinse with milk or water. Don't scrub, don't dry it.

Back in, or into milk

Gently place it back in the socket and bite on gauze, or keep it in a cup of milk.

Call us immediately

Phone (801) 676-3700. Time matters, and we'll be ready for you.

If it's a baby tooth, don't reinsert it

Putting a baby tooth back can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Control bleeding with gentle pressure, comfort your child, and call us for next steps.

The first hour matters

A permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved within 30 to 60 minutes.

Keep it moist

In the socket if you can, or in a cup of milk, never dry and never scrubbed.

We'll guide you live

Call and we'll walk you through it while you head in.

Why the First Hour Matters

The root of a knocked-out tooth is covered in delicate cells that keep it alive. Kept moist and re-planted quickly, those cells can reattach, which is why a tooth saved in the first 30 to 60 minutes has by far the best outlook. Dry time is the enemy: every minute the tooth spends dry lowers the odds, so keeping it in the socket or in milk truly matters.

How We Help When You Arrive

We'll see your child as a same-day emergency, evaluate the tooth and surrounding bone, and do everything possible to save and stabilize a permanent tooth. We'll also check for other injuries, relieve pain, and plan any follow-up the tooth needs to heal well.

Who This Applies To

These steps are for a fully knocked-out permanent tooth, at any age, from a playground fall to a sports hit. If the tooth is loosened or pushed out of position but still attached, don't wiggle or force it. Call us and we'll tell you exactly what to do. And if your child plays contact sports, ask us about a mouthguard to prevent the next one.

Keep the tooth moist, keep your child calm, and get to us. Kids and teeth are more resilient than you'd think.

Common questions

How long do I have to save the tooth?

The first 30 to 60 minutes give the best chance for a permanent tooth. Keep it moist in milk or the socket and call us immediately.

Should I reinsert a baby tooth?

No. Reinserting a baby tooth can harm the permanent tooth developing underneath. Comfort your child and call us for guidance.

What if the tooth is dirty?

Rinse it briefly with milk or water and do not scrub or dry it. Handle it only by the crown, never the root.

Where to go next

Chipped or Broken Tooth Save the pieces and call.

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All Dental Emergencies · Dentistry & Orthodontics