Knocked-Out Tooth? Act Now. It May Be Savable
The first hour matters most. Follow the steps below, then call us right away. We prioritize patients in pain and will make a plan for your emergency.
What to do right now
These five steps, done calmly and quickly, give a knocked-out adult tooth its best possible chance of being saved.
- 1
Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root
The crown is the white chewing part. The root is covered in delicate living fibers that the tooth needs to reattach. Touching or scrubbing the root can end its chances.
- 2
Rinse it gently, and only if it is dirty
Use milk or a quick pass under cool water. No soap, no scrubbing, no wrapping it in a tissue to dry. Those fibers on the root must stay moist and undisturbed.
- 3
Try to place it back in the socket
Face it the right way and press it gently into place, then bite softly on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it. This is the single best place for the tooth to wait. Never reseat a baby tooth; keep it out and bring it with you.
- 4
If it will not go back in, keep it moist
Drop it in a small container of cold milk, or tuck it inside your cheek if you are an adult and can do so safely. Plain water is a last resort; milk protects the root far better.
- 5
Call us immediately, because minutes matter
A knocked-out adult tooth has its best chance of reattaching when it is back in place within about an hour. Call (603) 924-3664 the moment the tooth is secured and we will direct you from there.
Call (603) 924-3664
How we try to save it
We give the tooth its best chance
If the tooth can be saved, we clean the area, seat the tooth properly, and splint it to its neighbors so it can heal in position. An X-ray confirms the socket and surrounding bone are sound.
We watch how it heals
A re-implanted tooth needs follow-up visits to confirm the root is reattaching. If the nerve inside the tooth does not survive and a root canal is needed, we coordinate promptly with trusted specialists.
We restore the smile if the tooth is lost
Some teeth cannot be saved, and that is not the end of the story. Dental implants are one of our core strengths, and we also place bridges, all planned and restored right here in our office.
When to go to the ER instead
A blow hard enough to knock out a tooth can injure more than the tooth. Go to the emergency room or call 911 first if you have:
- Loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion, or severe headache after the impact
- A possible jaw fracture, or a jaw that will not open or close normally
- Bleeding you cannot control with firm pressure
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
Bring the tooth with you in milk either way. Once you are medically stable, call us and we will take over the dental side.
The clock is running. Call us now
Whether the tooth can be saved or needs replacing, the next step is the same: get it in milk, and get us on the phone. Our office is at 21 Grove Street in Peterborough.
- New patients welcome
- Most insurance accepted