A knocked-out tooth is one of the most alarming dental emergencies anyone can experience. Whether it happens from a sports injury, a fall, or an accident, the sight of a missing tooth can cause panic. However, what you do in the minutes following the injury can make all the difference in saving your tooth. One of the most common questions people ask is: can you put a knocked-out tooth back in its socket yourself? The answer is yes—but with caution and the right technique.
Act Quickly—Time is Everything
When a tooth is completely knocked out, the clock starts ticking. The best chance of saving it comes within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury. Beyond that window, the cells on the root of the tooth begin to die, making it less likely to reattach successfully. Acting fast and handling the tooth properly can increase the chances that your dentist can reimplant it successfully.
How to Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth
If you decide to try putting the tooth back in, handle it very carefully. Pick it up by the crown—the white part you normally see in your mouth—not the root. Touching the root can damage the delicate tissue that helps the tooth reattach.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline solution. Avoid using tap water, soap, or scrubbing it, as this can kill the vital root cells. Once clean, if you feel comfortable doing so, try to gently reinsert the tooth into the socket. Hold it in place with light pressure by biting down on a clean cloth or gauze.
If you can’t get it back in, don’t force it. Instead, store the tooth properly—either in milk, a tooth preservation solution (like Save-A-Tooth), or in your own saliva (by holding it in your cheek). These environments help keep the root cells alive until you can reach your dentist.
Seek Emergency Dental Care Immediately
Even if you manage to get the tooth back into its socket, you still need emergency dental care right away. A dentist must properly stabilize the tooth with a splint and check for other damage, such as fractures or nerve injury. The tooth may also need a root canal later to ensure long-term health and prevent infection.
What Not to Do
- Don’t scrub or disinfect the tooth.
- Don’t use tissue or cloth to wrap it—it will dry out the root.
- Don’t delay seeing a dentist, even if the tooth looks fine.
It is possible to put a knocked-out tooth back in its socket yourself, but only if you act quickly, handle it correctly, and get to a dentist immediately. Fast, careful action can mean the difference between saving your natural tooth and losing it for good.
About the Practice
At Dental Designs of Maryland Columbia, our caring and experienced team of dentists can handle your dental emergency quickly and painlessly. With same-day CEREC dental restorations and maximized dental insurance, we’re committed to your care and finances so that the costs of dental work aren’t a massive burden. Come see why we’re a trusted provider. Schedule an appointment online or call (443) 542-9519.