Dental care - tips if teeth are knocked out | Better Health Channel
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Summary

If a permanent tooth is knocked out it can be saved if you can immediately place the tooth back in its socket. Call your dentist or other oral health professional straight away. If you cannot replace the tooth, store it in milk or plastic cling wrap and call your dentist. Children's deciduous (milk or baby) teeth should not be replaced in their socket.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out there is an excellent chance it will survive if it is immediately placed back in the tooth socket and oral health advice is sought straight away. Every minute the tooth is out of the socket, the less chance it has of surviving.

First aid for permanent teeth


If your child has a permanent tooth knocked out:
  • Handle the tooth by the crown (smooth white part) not the root.
  • Gently rinse the tooth in milk or normal saline solution if it has debris on it. Rinse for a few seconds only.
  • Replace the tooth in its socket if the child is conscious – make sure the tooth is facing the right way around.
  • Hold the tooth in place with some foil or by asking the child to gently bite on a handkerchief.
  • Contact your dentist or other oral health professional immediately.

If you can’t put the tooth in its socket


If you can’t replace the tooth:
  • Wrap it in plastic cling wrap or store it in milk or normal saline solution.
  • Contact your dentist or other oral health professional immediately.

What not to do with the tooth


You should not:
  • try and clean the tooth with vigorous scrubbing or cleaning agents
  • handle the tooth by the root
  • allow the tooth to dry out.

Why you shouldn’t replace milk or baby teeth


You should not attempt to put a deciduous (milk or baby) tooth back in its socket because:
  • It may fuse to the socket, which leads to difficulties when it is time for the tooth to be shed.
  • It may damage the permanent tooth underneath the socket.

Where to get help

  • Your dentist or oral health professional
  • Your doctor
  • Your public oral health service
  • Community Dental Clinic Tel. 1300 360 054.
  • Dental Hospital of Melbourne, emergency service Tel. 1300 360 054 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 9.15pm; weekends and public holidays, 9am–9.15pm. General dental enquiries Tel.(03) 9341 1000 or 1800 833 039 (from rural Victoria) Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5pm.
All children who are 12 years and under are eligible for priority public oral health services. Children receive general oral health advice as well as dental check-ups and treatment. For eligibility information call 1300 360 054, Dental Health Services Victoria.

Things to remember

  • A permanent tooth should be replaced in the socket as soon as possible.
  • Every minute counts when trying to save a permanent tooth.
  • Always seek immediate advice from your dentist or oral health professional.
  • Deciduous (milk or baby) teeth should not be put back in their socket.

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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

The Dental Health Services Victoria logo - links to further information

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The Dental Health Services Victoria logo - links to further information

Last reviewed: October 2011

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.


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If a permanent tooth is knocked out it can be saved if you can immediately place the tooth back in its socket. Call your dentist or other oral health professional straight away. If you cannot replace the tooth, store it in milk or plastic cling wrap and call your dentist. Children's deciduous (milk or baby) teeth should not be replaced in their socket.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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