My Tooth Was Knocked Out: Can I Put It Back in Its Socket?

Accidents happen, and dental emergencies, such as knocked-out teeth, can occur when we least expect them to—and when they’re most inconvenient! That said, the immediate aftermath of such an incident can be both frightening and confusing, and one common question that often arises is: “Can I replace the tooth in its socket myself?” The answer isn’t so simple, and depends on a few factors. Continue reading to learn more!

What Should I Do If I Knock Out a Tooth?

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind if you suffer a knocked-out tooth is that time is of the essence; thinking and acting quickly gives your tooth the absolute best chance of reimplantation. The longer the tooth remains outside of the mouth, the lower its chances of being saved are—the ideal window of reimplantation by your dentist is within 30 to 60 minutes.

Keep calm and locate and secure the tooth, but be certain that you’re only handling the tooth by its crown and not touching its delicate root. Place it in a glass of milk or your own saliva, or even a small plastic container if you have one handy.

Give your dentist a call, too—they’ll need to know how the tooth was knocked out, and they’ll let you know when you need to come in. Most dental offices can accommodate emergencies on the same day, even if they’re after-hours. Once there, they can assess the situation, clean the area further, and determine the best course of action to save the tooth—or if circumstances call for it, replace it entirely.

Is It Possible to Replace the Tooth in Its Socket Myself?

While it’s true that the window for replacing a knocked-out tooth is fairly small, there are some instances when a patient can reinsert the tooth into their socket for transportation to the dentist’s office. This often helps to ensure that the tooth can be successfully reimplanted without much difficulty, and it also helps protect the tooth during transit. Just note that this isn’t a “permanent fix” by any means; the tooth still needs medical attention in order to remain a healthy part of your smile.

After retrieving the tooth and cleaning it, if it’s still in one piece, you can attempt to gently push it back into its socket, careful not to force it. You can hold it in place by biting down on a clean piece of gauze or your finger. Once you’re at the dentist’s office, they’ll take over!

It’s estimated that over 5 million teeth are knocked out annually, per the American Association of Endodontists. The last thing you should want is to fall into this category—which is why adequate oral care is so crucial—but if it does happen to you, rest assured, you can save your pearly white with a little quick thinking and action!

About the Practice

Under the expert leadership of Dr. Giannina McBryde, the talented team at All Smiles Leesburg has proudly served patients and families in the Leesburg, VA community for several years, offering a wide range of services including emergency dentistry. If you have any questions about the blog or you or a loved one is dealing with a knocked-out tooth, don’t hesitate to contact the practice at once for assistance. Telephone: (703) 782-5171.