An adult tooth that has been completely knocked out can sometimes be re-implanted if it is handled well and you reach a dentist quickly. The tooth must be kept moist and the root must not be scrubbed or dried.
We connect you with a vetted Enfield emergency dentist who can see avulsion cases without delay. Start the first aid below immediately, then use the form on this page or call ahead.
First aid in order
Speed and gentle handling matter more than anything else. The aim is to get the tooth back into the socket, or into a suitable storage liquid, within minutes.
- Pick the tooth up by the white crown, never the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse briefly in milk or cool running water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it or wrap it in tissue.
- If you can, push it gently back into the socket the right way round and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If you cannot re-implant it, store it in milk, or in saliva by holding it in the cheek (adults only), and bring it with you.
How to store the tooth
Milk is the best easily available storage option because it keeps the delicate root-surface cells alive far longer than water, which damages them. Do not let the tooth dry out and do not store it in water.
A note on baby teeth
A knocked-out baby (milk) tooth is generally not re-implanted, because doing so can harm the adult tooth developing underneath. Keep your child calm, control any bleeding with gentle pressure, and have them checked. Our childrens emergencies guide covers this in more detail.
Dental trauma: common questions
Related emergencies
This is a dental matching service, not a medical service
For genuine medical emergencies — uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling spreading to your eye, throat or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or feeling severely unwell — these are hospital problems and need IV antibiotics, not a dental appointment.