By Dr. Keerthi Sudireddy
A completely knocked-out (avulsed) adult tooth is a true dental emergency. What you do in the first 30 minutes often decides whether the tooth can be saved.
Quick answer
Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root. Gently rinse it with milk or saline if dirty, and try to place it back in the socket. If you cannot, store it in milk (or inside the cheek) and get to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. The faster it is re-implanted, the higher the chance of saving it.
Step by step
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root.
- If dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saline - do not scrub or use soap.
- Try to reinsert it into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth.
- If you cannot reinsert it, keep it in milk or inside the cheek - never let it dry out.
- Get to a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes.
Important notes
- For a baby tooth, do not reinsert it - see a dentist instead.
- Do not store the tooth in plain water, which damages the root cells.
Call The Tooth Studio on +91 90321 97737 on the way. See our full emergency guide for other situations.
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