Experience | Leaflets | Diagrams | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Other options: 
A Knocked Out Tooth
Post your experienceSee others (3 there)
|
About one in four children in the UK will injure a front tooth at some stage. Sometimes a tooth may be completely knocked out. This leaflet tells you what to do. |
For first teeth ('milk' or 'baby' teeth)
These teeth start coming out naturally at about age 6 or 7. If one is knocked out earlier by accident - leave it out. Do not try and put it back as this may damage the adult tooth growing underneath. The adult tooth will grow eventually. Give some paracetamol mixture (Calpol, Disprol, etc) or ibuprofen if the injured gum is sore.
For second or 'adult' teethThese are commonly knocked out in older children and sometimes in adults. If one of these teeth is knocked out it is vital that:
- it is put back into it's socket as soon as possible, and then
- you see a dentist as soon as possible to secure the tooth
An adult at the scene of the accident will usually be able to place the tooth back into its socket in the injured person's mouth.
- Do not delay doing this. Do not wait to see a dentist.
- If the tooth is clean, do it straight away and then seek dental help.
- Hold the tooth by the crown (the white shiny part normally seen in the mouth) and not the root. The root has delicate cells needed to attach the tooth so try not to touch this part.
- Take care to get the tooth the right way around.
- Once back in, get the injured person to bite gently on a handkerchief until seen by a dentist.
What if the tooth is dirty?
A tooth may be knocked into some mud or dirt. Rinse the tooth in some cold water or milk. Do not scrub it or put it in disinfectant. This will damage the delicate cells on the root needed to attach the tooth back to the gum.
Why is it best put back straight away?
The cells at the root of the tooth will usually attach firmly back to the tooth socket if they do not die. These cells at the root of the tooth will soon dry out and die if the tooth is not put back quickly. If they die the tooth will not attach again. The sooner a tooth is put back, the greater the chance of success.
What if the tooth cannot be put back in?
Put the tooth in a cup of milk and see a dentist as soon as possible. The tooth must be kept moist. Milk is the ideal liquid to put the tooth in. Water on its own is not so good and milk is usually the best. If milk is not available, put the tooth in the injured persons mouth between their cheek and the gum. If the tooth is kept moist until it is put back in its socket there is a greater chance of permanent recovery. It may still be successful up to 24 hours after the accident.
If you cannot see a dentist immediately after the accident, go to the local casualty department.
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: June 2006
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
Experience | Leaflets | Diagrams | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Other options:
 | Care + Clove Oil BP Find the best price in our price comparison section |
| Recommended Book | |
 | Teeth & Mouth : British Medical Association's Family Doctor Series Available in the Patient UK Bookshop |
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicine View Patient Experience for 'Dental And Periodontal Diseases' (3 there)Health Topic information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)
Dental Abscess Dental Plaque and Gum Disease Teeth and ChildrenDiagrams related to this topic (^ top of page)
Teeth (diagram)Support Groups related to this topic (^ top of page)
British Dental Association British Dental Health Foundation National Register of Children with Dental FluorosisPatientPlus articles related to this topic (^ top of page)
Dental and Periodontal DiseasesUK guidelines related to this topic (^ top of page)
Guidelines on Dental ProblemsLinks to other selected websites related to this topic (^ top of page)
Dental / Oral / Mouth HealthPoems and stories related to this topic (^ top of page)
TeefVideos related to this topic (^ top of page)
Links to online videos on Dental ProblemsPatient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)
Recent related news items
Scottish dental health slammed Denture glue withdrawn Sweet tooth 'hints at depression' 'I am ecstatic about my Ugly Betty braces' Plasma jet set to see off the dentist drill in three yearsAll news by related topic
Dental And Periodontal Diseases newsRelated Products (^ top of page)
Online Pharmacy
Care + Clove Oil BPMedical equipment
Oral Care
Books
Teeth & Mouth : British Medical Association's Family Doctor Series Teeth and mouth (Understanding your)
Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window