First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

Chest Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Severe Bleeding

Sudden Weakness or Numbness
A Medical Emergency

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Treatment for Broken or Knocked-Out Teeth

Call 911 if the person:

Has a serious injury
Is unconscious

Call 911 if: The person has a serious injury or is unconscious.

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Knocked-out teeth can be re-implanted in many cases. A permanent tooth that is re-implanted within 30 minutes has the highest chance of success.

1. Collect Teeth or Teeth Fragments

Handle teeth carefully because damage may prevent re-implantation.

Touch only the crown, the top part of the tooth. Do not touch the root of the tooth.

Rinse tooth gently only if necessary. Do not scrub, scrape, or use alcohol to remove dirt.

2. Re-Insert or Store Teeth

Rinse mouth with warm water.

If possible, reinsert permanent teeth into the correct sockets and have the person bite on a gauze pad to hold teeth in place.

If you can't reinsert permanent teeth, or for baby teeth or teeth fragments, store them in whole milk or between your cheek and gum to prevent drying.

3. Treat Symptoms

Control bleeding with sterile gauze or cloth.

For pain and swelling, apply a cool compress. Encourage a child to suck on a frozen pop.

For pain, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

4. Get Help

For teeth that have been knocked out, see a dentist or go to an emergency room immediately. Take the teeth or teeth fragments with you. Even if the teeth have been successfully reinserted, you should see a dentist.