Knocked-Out Tooth Emergency in New York City
A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. Handle it by the crown, keep it from drying out and seek emergency dental care immediately.
What to do right away
Pick the tooth up by the chewing surface, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saline without scrubbing. If safe, place it back in the socket with gentle pressure; otherwise keep it in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution.
Do not reinsert a baby tooth. If you are unsure whether the tooth is permanent, keep it moist and get professional advice immediately.
Time and associated injuries matter
Prompt professional care can affect whether replantation is possible. Bring the tooth and any fragments with you, and tell the provider exactly when and how the injury happened.
A fall, sports impact or assault can also cause concussion or jaw injury. Loss of consciousness, confusion, severe headache, uncontrolled bleeding or major facial swelling calls for emergency medical evaluation first.