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Emergency dental care Same-day appointments Families welcome

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Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth — an avulsion — is the one dental emergency where minutes change the outcome. Handled correctly and kept wet, the tooth can often be saved. Pick it up by the crown, keep it moist, and call us on the way.

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Illustration of a knocked-out tooth beside a glass of milk

What patients ask us

What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

Handle the tooth by the crown, rinse it briefly in milk or saline, then place it back in the socket or store it in milk — never in water. Call Chi Family Dental at (281) 778-9261 immediately and bring the tooth with you. Replanting within 30 minutes gives it the best chance.

How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?

A permanent tooth has the best chance if it is back in the socket within 5 minutes, and still a good chance if it is replanted or kept in milk within 30 to 60 minutes. After about an hour the root's ligament cells begin to die, so call (281) 778-9261 right away.

Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?

No. Never replant a baby tooth, because it can damage the developing adult tooth beneath it. Store the tooth in milk and call Chi Family Dental at (281) 778-9261 so we can check your child and tell you whether anything needs to be done.

What if the knocked-out tooth cannot be saved?

If the tooth cannot be replanted in time, we will still see you the same day, check the socket and the surrounding teeth, and explain replacement options such as a dental implant or a bridge. Call (281) 778-9261 and bring the tooth with you so we can look at it.

What to do right now

  • 1Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you chew with. Never touch, scrape, or scrub the root.
  • 2If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline for about ten seconds. Do not let it air-dry and do not wrap it in a tissue.
  • 3Place the tooth back in the socket, right side out, and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it. If it will not stay, keep it in a cup of milk or your own saliva — never in water.
  • 4Call us right away at (281) 778-9261. The first 30 minutes matter most, and we hold same-day openings for avulsed teeth.
  • 5If it is a baby tooth, do not put it back in the socket. Call us so we can check the child and the developing tooth beneath it.

When to call us

Call immediately after a permanent tooth is knocked out, and keep the tooth with you on the way in. Call the same day for a loosened or pushed-out-of-place tooth, a broken jaw, or bleeding from the mouth that will not stop. If there was a blow to the head, a loss of consciousness, or bleeding you cannot control, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 first.

Call (281) 778-9261Emergency dentist in Missouri City

This is general educational guidance, not a diagnosis. Please call our office so we can assess your situation and recommend the right care.

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