What to Do If a Child's Tooth Gets Knocked Out

First, take a breath and check which tooth it is

If your child's tooth gets knocked out, it helps to know one thing fast: was it a baby tooth or a permanent tooth? That changes what parents should do next.

Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6. Before that age, a front tooth is often still a baby tooth, but not always. If you are not sure, do not guess for too long. Call a licensed pediatric or general dentist as soon as you can and explain what happened.

If there is a lot of bleeding, a deep cut, trouble breathing, severe swelling, or your child may have hit their head, seek urgent medical care right away. This page is general educational information, not medical advice.

The short answer

If it is a baby tooth, parents are usually told not to put it back in. Putting a baby tooth back in can harm the adult tooth growing underneath. Call a licensed pediatric or general dentist to ask what to do next and when your child should be seen.

If it is a permanent tooth, time matters. Pick it up by the top part you normally see in the mouth, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or clean water for a few seconds. Then call a dentist right away for urgent guidance.

If the dentist tells you to bring the tooth in, store it carefully. Many dentists suggest milk as a simple option. Some may give other instructions based on your child's age and the injury. Try not to scrub the tooth, scrape it, or wrap it in tissue where it can dry out.

What parents can do right away

Start by helping your child stay calm. Have them bite gently on clean gauze or a clean cloth if the mouth is bleeding. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can help with swelling.

Look for the whole tooth. Hold it by the crown, which is the chewing or front part, not the long root. Avoid touching the root because that can damage delicate tissue on the outside of the tooth.

If you can find the tooth, keep it moist. Milk is often used when a permanent tooth has come out. If you do not have milk, call the dentist's office and ask what they want you to do while you travel in.

If your child also has a loose tooth, a cracked tooth, a cut lip, or pain when biting, tell the dentist that too. Even when the tooth did not come all the way out, a fall or sports injury can still damage the tooth or jaw.

• Do hold the tooth by the crown, not the root
• Do call a licensed pediatric or general dentist right away
• Do not scrub the tooth with soap, toothpaste, or a brush
• Do not put a baby tooth back into the gum

Baby tooth or permanent tooth: why it matters

Baby teeth matter. They help children chew, speak, and save space for adult teeth. So even if a knocked-out tooth is "just a baby tooth," it is still worth calling a dentist. The dentist may want to check the gums, nearby teeth, and the tooth developing under the surface.

With a permanent tooth, quick care can make a big difference. Dentists sometimes try to save the tooth, but what happens depends on the type of injury, how long the tooth was out, your child's age, and the condition of the tooth and gums. No one can promise an outcome.

If your child is around 6 or older and the knocked-out tooth is an adult front tooth, tell the dentist that right away. If you are unsure, say your child's age and which tooth came out. A pediatric or general dentist can help you figure out what it likely is.

Common mistakes parents make

A lot of parents panic and that is understandable. The most common mistake is spending too long trying to figure everything out at home instead of calling a dentist quickly.

Another common mistake is cleaning the tooth too much. Scrubbing, rubbing, or drying out a permanent tooth can make it harder for the dentist to help. Touching the root a lot can also damage it.

Some parents assume a baby tooth does not matter, or that if the bleeding stops everything is fine. But a fall can injure nearby teeth, the gums, or the jaw. A dentist may want to check for damage you cannot see.

It is also easy to forget to mention a head injury. If your child seems very sleepy, vomits, has a severe headache, acts confused, or may have a concussion, seek medical care right away.

What to do next

Call a licensed pediatric or general dentist as soon as you can. Tell them your child's age, whether the tooth seems like a baby or permanent tooth, when the injury happened, and whether you found the tooth. If you need help finding a dentist, SproutSmile can help you find a pediatric dentist in your area.

If you are choosing a new office, you may want to ask whether they see dental injuries, whether they treat young children, and what same-day care may cost. Many kids' preventive visits are covered by insurance, Medicaid, or CHIP if your family qualifies, but injury treatment costs vary by office, plan, and state. You can read more on our costs page.

If you are not sure what kind of dentist to look for, our guide to choosing a pediatric dentist can help with simple questions to ask.

After the visit, follow the dentist's instructions closely. This page is only general information for parents. For advice about your child's specific injury, talk to a licensed pediatric or general dentist.