{"id":276,"date":"2026-08-28T06:57:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T06:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=276"},"modified":"2026-08-28T06:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T06:57:11","slug":"knocked-out-a-tooth-steps-to-take-to-save-your-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/knocked-out-a-tooth-steps-to-take-to-save-your-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"Knocked Out a Tooth? Steps to Take to Save Your Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Cartoon<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Few dental emergencies are as alarming as seeing one of your teeth suddenly lying on the floor. Whether it happens during a sports game, an accident, or an unexpected fall, a knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that a knocked-out tooth isn’t necessarily lost forever. Acting quickly and handling the tooth carefully can improve the chances of successful reimplantation. Ideally, you should get emergency dental care as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the steps to follow if a permanent tooth gets knocked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Find the Tooth and Handle It Carefully<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, locate the tooth. When you pick it up, hold it by the crown\u2014the part normally visible above the gumline. Avoid touching the root, because handling it can damage the delicate cells that may help the tooth reattach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline solution. You can also briefly rinse it with clean water, but don’t scrub the tooth, scrape it, or use soap or other cleaning products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try to Put the Tooth Back in Place<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re able to do so safely, gently place the tooth back into its socket. Make sure it is facing the correct direction, and don’t force it into position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can’t comfortably reinsert the tooth, don’t worry. You can keep it moist another way while you seek emergency care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For young children, especially, you should not attempt to put a knocked-out tooth back into the socket if there’s a risk they could swallow or inhale it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep the Tooth Moist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A knocked-out tooth should never be allowed to dry out. If you can’t place it back into the socket, keep it in a container of milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution while you make your way to the dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid storing the tooth in plain water for an extended period, as it can damage the cells on the root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time matters, so don’t spend too long trying to figure out the perfect storage method. Get professional help as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact an Emergency Dentist Immediately<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve secured the tooth, contact a dental professional. Tell them that you’ve had a permanent tooth knocked out and explain when the injury occurred. This can help them understand the urgency of the situation and prepare for your arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re searching for an emergency dentist in Flower Mound, don’t wait until the next day to make the call. The sooner the tooth receives appropriate care, the better the chances may be of saving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dentist will evaluate the tooth and the surrounding tissues and determine the appropriate treatment. Even if the tooth can’t be saved, prompt care can help address injuries to your gums, jaw, and other teeth and determine the best replacement options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What If You Can’t Save the Tooth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, even immediate action isn’t enough to save a knocked-out tooth. If that happens, you still have options for restoring your smile and protecting your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your circumstances, treatment may include a dental bridge, dental implant, or another tooth-replacement solution. Your dentist can explain which approach is most appropriate for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, don’t assume a knocked-out tooth is automatically a lost cause. Get it\u2014and yourself\u2014to professional care as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t Wait During a Dental Emergency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowing what to do before an accident happens can make it easier to respond calmly when every minute matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lauri Barge is a Flower Mound dentist who earned her dental doctorate from Texas A&M College of Dentistry after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington. She completed a General Practice Residency at Olin E. Teague VA Hospital in Temple, Texas, and has continued her education in complex restorative and aesthetic dentistry. Her own experience undergoing jaw surgery as a teenager helped inspire her career in dentistry and gave her a personal understanding of the patient experience. Today, Dr. Barge works alongside her dental team to provide compassionate, comprehensive care, including treatment for patients experiencing dental pain and emergencies. The practice is committed to providing patients with the same high level of care they would want for their own families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call us at (972) 539-3800<\/a> or schedule your appointment online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few dental emergencies are as alarming as seeing one of your teeth suddenly lying on the floor. Whether it happens during a sports game, an accident, or an unexpected fall, a knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate attention. The good news is that a knocked-out tooth isn’t necessarily lost forever. Acting quickly and handling the tooth […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nKnocked Out a Tooth? Steps to Take to Save Your Smile<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Few dental emergencies are as alarming as seeing one of your teeth suddenly lying on the floor. Whether it happens during a sports game, an accident, or Knocked out a tooth? 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