If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, pick it up by the top (the crown), never the root. Rinse it briefly, put it back in the socket if you can, and get to a dentist right away. If it will not go back in, keep it in milk.
A knocked-out tooth can often be saved, but only if you act quickly. The American Association of Endodontists says the best chance comes when the person sees a dentist within 30 minutes.
What should you check first after a mouth injury?
Mouth injuries are common at recess, in PE, on the playground, and during youth sports. After a fall or a blow to the face, put on gloves and look for teeth that are chipped, loose, or missing.
Keep in mind that a loose or knocked-out tooth is a choking risk, especially for a young child. Find any missing tooth or pieces.
- Chipped tooth: Gently clean the area and contact a dentist.
- Loose tooth: Have them bite on gauze to hold it in place, and contact a dentist.
- Knocked-out tooth: Follow the steps below.
How do you save a knocked-out permanent tooth?
- Put on gloves and find the tooth.
- Hold it by the crown only. The crown is the white part you chew with. Never touch the root, the part that sits in the gum.
- Rinse it for less than 10 seconds. Use saline or clean water.
- Care for the socket. Press gauze on the socket to stop the bleeding, and rinse the socket.
- Put the tooth back. Gently push it into the socket and have the person bite on gauze to hold it in place.
- Get to a dentist or the emergency department right away. Speed matters.
If the tooth will not go back in easily, or the person is too upset, store it and go.
What is the best way to store a knocked-out tooth?
If you cannot put the tooth back, keep it moist in one of these:
- Milk
- Oral rehydration solution
- The person’s own saliva
- Plastic wrap, wrapped tightly around it
Do not store the tooth in plain tap water.
Milk is usually easy to find in a school cafeteria, daycare kitchen, or church fellowship hall. Know where yours is kept.
When should you call 911?
Most dental injuries mean a fast trip to the dentist, not an ambulance. Call 911 if the bleeding cannot be controlled.
Also watch for other injuries. A blow hard enough to knock out a tooth can also cause a head injury. If the child seems confused, dizzy, or sleepy, or vomits, stop activity and get them checked. Call 911 if they become less alert.
What about cuts to the lip, tongue, or cheek?
With gloves on, press gauze firmly on the cut.
Call 911 if the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of pressure, or if the person has trouble breathing.
A baby tooth is not the same as a permanent tooth
The steps above are for permanent teeth. A baby tooth is handled differently.
For a young child’s baby tooth, control the bleeding by pressing gauze on the area, and call the parent and a dentist for advice.
Toddlers and preschoolers in daycare have baby teeth. In elementary school, children start trading baby teeth for permanent ones, so it can be hard to tell. If you are not sure, keep the tooth in milk and call the parent and a dentist right away.
Daycare and school staff should also follow their workplace injury policy.
This article is general education. It does not replace hands-on CPR and first aid training, where you practice these skills with an instructor.
How LP Health Directions can help
Our classes follow the 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines and cover bleeding, head injuries, and choking.
- CPR and First Aid classes in Phoenix and Tucson
- On-site Group Training for daycares, schools, churches, and workplaces
- First Aid Solutions, including first aid kits stocked with gloves and gauze
- See every topic in the First Aid Guide, or book a class
Sources
- American Association of Endodontists, Knocked Out Teeth
- American Red Cross, Learn First Aid
- CDC, HEADS UP
- American Heart Association, 2025 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
Reviewed September 28, 2026. This article provides general education and does not replace first aid and CPR training, medical advice, or 911 guidance.