Call +91 99452 25971 immediately. Follow these steps while getting to us. Every minute matters reimplantation within 30 minutes gives the best chance of saving the tooth.
First: Is It a Baby Tooth or Permanent Tooth?
This is the single most important question because the answer changes everything.
- Baby tooth knocked out: Do NOT reimplant it. Reinserting a baby tooth risks damaging the permanent tooth developing underneath. Clean the socket gently, apply pressure if bleeding, and call your dentist for a check-up within 24 hours.
- Permanent tooth knocked out: This is the emergency. Act immediately every minute matters.
If unsure, treat it as a permanent tooth until a dentist confirms otherwise.
Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now
Find the tooth immediately
Pick it up by the white crown portion only never touch the root. The root contains delicate periodontal ligament cells that must survive for the tooth to re-attach. Touching the root damages these cells.
If dirty, rinse gently
Hold the tooth by the crown and briefly rinse with cold milk or saline. If neither is available, tap water for maximum 10 seconds. Do NOT scrub, dry, or wrap in a cloth or tissue this destroys the root cells.
Reimplant immediately if possible
If your child is old enough to cooperate and there is no injury to the socket, gently reinsert the tooth into the socket in the correct orientation. Have the child bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place. This is the best storage for the tooth.
If reimplantation isn't possible, store correctly
Best storage (in order):
1. Back in the socket (still best)
2. In cold fresh milk
3. Under the child's tongue (if old enough no swallowing risk)
4. In saline solution
5. Tap water as absolute last resort
Never let the tooth dry out dry time is the #1 cause of failed reimplantation.
Get to a dentist within 30–60 minutes
Call us at +91 99452 25971 while driving. We will prepare for your arrival. The sooner the tooth is professionally reimplanted and splinted, the better the chances of long-term survival.
What Happens at the Dental Clinic
When you arrive, we will:
- Assess the tooth and socket condition
- Clean and reimplant the tooth with local anaesthetic if not already done
- Place a flexible splint bonding the tooth to neighbouring teeth (usually for 2 weeks)
- Take X-rays to check positioning
- Prescribe antibiotics and pain medication as needed
- Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor healing
Root canal treatment is usually needed for permanent teeth reimplanted after more than 60 minutes. Even teeth reimplanted quickly may eventually need root canal treatment but the tooth can still be preserved for many years.
A reimplanted tooth requires monitoring for months. The root may gradually resorb, the tooth may ankyloses (fuse to the bone), or it may thrive for decades. Your dentist needs regular X-rays to track what's happening. Do not miss these appointments.
Most knocked-out teeth during sports are entirely preventable. A custom mouthguard from your dentist costs ₹1,500–3,000 and absorbs impact that would otherwise dislodge teeth. For any child playing contact sports, this is non-negotiable.
Dr. Mittal's Kids & Family Dental:
+91 99452 25971
Chandra Layout & Banashankari, Bengaluru
We prioritise dental emergencies call immediately, any time.