A rugby tackle, a playground fall, a bike that stopped before its rider did. A knocked-out adult tooth is one of the few dental emergencies where minutes genuinely matter, and where knowing what to do can save the tooth for good.
The five steps, in order
If an adult tooth has been knocked completely out:
- 1/Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the white part you chew with. Don't touch the root.
- 2/If it's dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. Don't scrub it, and don't hold it under tap water for more than a second or two.
- 3/If you can manage it, push the tooth gently back into its socket right away and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it there. This one step matters more than everything else on this list.
- 4/If you can't get it back in, keep it wet. Drop it in a cup of milk, or tuck it inside the injured person's cheek if they're old enough not to swallow it.
- 5/Get to a dentist immediately, ideally inside 30 to 60 minutes. Ring us on 09 964 0508 while you're on the way.
Why the clock matters so much
The root of a tooth is covered in living cells, and they start dying once the tooth dries out. Kept moist and put back quickly, those cells can reattach and the tooth can go on to last years. After an hour dry, the odds drop away sharply. That's the whole reason milk beats a tissue in someone's pocket. It keeps the root cells alive.
Baby teeth are the exception
Don't put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. Pushing it into the socket can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Still see a dentist promptly so we can check for other injuries, but skip the re-implanting step for little ones.
The boring prevention answer
Accidental dental injuries in New Zealand are usually covered by ACC. We're a registered provider and lodge the claim with you at the visit, so the paperwork isn't another thing to worry about.
And the unglamorous truth is that a custom-fitted mouthguard prevents a large share of these injuries in the first place. One short visit for the impression. A lifetime tooth kept where it belongs.
Sources: International Association of Dental Traumatology, dental trauma first-aid guidelines · ACC New Zealand, dental injury cover. This article is general information, not a substitute for an examination and personal advice from a dentist. If you're in pain or unsure, book a visit or call 09 964 0508.
