What to Do If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out During a Game

A knocked-out tooth is one of the most stressful dental situations a parent or athlete can face. It's sudden, it's alarming, and what happens in the first few minutes can determine whether the tooth can be saved.

If you or your child plays sports, knowing this information before you need it is genuinely valuable. Here's exactly what to do.

Stay Calm

It's harder than it sounds, but panicking makes it difficult to act quickly and correctly. Take a breath. You have time if you move efficiently.

Step 1: Find the Tooth

Locate it as quickly as possible and pick it up by the crown (the white part you see when you smile), not by the root. Touching the root can damage the cells needed for the tooth to reattach successfully.

Step 2: Rinse Gently

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or clean water. Do not scrub it. Do not use soap. Do not dry it with a cloth or paper towel.

Step 3: Try to Reinsert It

If the person is conscious and calm enough, try to gently place the tooth back into its socket and hold it in place by biting down softly on a clean cloth. This is the best-case scenario because keeping the tooth in its natural environment gives it the highest chance of survival.

If reinsertion isn't possible due to pain, the person's age, or the risk of swallowing the tooth, move on to Step 4.

Step 4: Keep It Moist

The tooth must not dry out. Store it in one of the following, in order of preference:

• Milk (the best option if available)

• The space between the cheek and gum (for older children and adults only)

• A saline solution or store-bought tooth preservation kit

• Water, as a last resort

Step 5: Get to a Dentist Immediately

Call your dentist the moment the tooth is secured. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of survival when reimplanted within 30 minutes. After an hour, the odds drop significantly.

Sun Dental's number is 403-327-3410. If you're experiencing a dental emergency outside of office hours, call us and we'll do our best to assist.

What About Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth are handled differently. Do not try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth, as doing so can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Call your dentist to discuss next steps, but reinsertion is not the goal with primary teeth.

What If the Tooth Is Chipped or Cracked?

A chipped or cracked tooth should still be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. Save any pieces you can find, rinse your mouth with warm water, and apply a cold compress if there's swelling or pain.

The Better Situation Is Not Needing This

A properly fitted mouthguard significantly reduces the risk of this kind of injury across every sport. If you're heading into spring sports season without one, now is a good time to ask your dentist about your options. It's a short conversation and a very worthwhile investment.

Call us at 403-327-3410 or visit sundental.ca. We're at 718 3 Ave S in downtown Lethbridge.