Knocked-out tooth? Here's what to do first.
Act fast: hold the tooth by the crown (not the root), gently put it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and call us right away. An adult tooth re-implanted within about an hour has the best chance of being saved.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ella Dekhtyar, DDSLast updated September 2026
Call now: (305) 816-6620. A knocked-out adult tooth is a true emergency — the sooner we see you, the better the chance of saving it. We keep time open for same-day urgent visits and are open Saturdays.
Five steps, in order
- Pick it up by the crown. Hold the tooth by the white part you chew with — never the root. Touching the root can damage the fibers that help it reattach.
- Rinse gently if it's dirty. A quick rinse with milk or clean water is fine. Don't scrub, don't use soap, and don't dry it or wrap it in a tissue.
- Try to put it back in the socket. If you can, gently push the tooth back into place and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it. A tooth kept in its socket has the best chance.
- If you can't, keep it moist. Put the tooth in a cup of milk, or tuck it between your cheek and gum. Plain water is a last resort — don't let the tooth dry out.
- Call us right away. Time matters most. Call us immediately — the best results come when a tooth is re-implanted within about an hour.
What not to do
- Don't touch or scrub the root, and don't remove any tissue attached to it.
- Don't let the tooth dry out — never wrap it in a tissue or paper towel.
- Don't store it in plain tap water for long; milk or your own saliva is far better.
- Don't wait to "see how it feels." Minutes count.
Why the first hour matters
The root of a tooth is covered in living fibers. Once the tooth is out, those cells start to dry out and die. Keeping the tooth moist — ideally back in the socket or in milk — and getting to a dentist quickly gives them the best chance to reattach. After a knocked-out tooth is re-implanted, we splint it to the neighboring teeth while it heals, and check that the nerve is recovering.
Not every dental emergency is a lost tooth. See our full guide to emergency dental care in North Miami Beach for toothaches, swelling, broken teeth, and lost crowns.
Common questions
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
The first hour matters most. An adult tooth that's put back in its socket or kept in milk and re-implanted within about 60 minutes has the best chance of surviving. Call your dentist immediately — don't wait.
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Often, yes — if it's an adult tooth, handled correctly, kept moist, and treated quickly. Hold it by the crown, keep it in milk or in the socket, and get to a dentist within the hour. Baby teeth are not re-implanted.
What if my tooth is only chipped or loose, not out?
Save any broken pieces in milk, rinse gently, and call us the same day. A chipped or loosened tooth is still urgent — quick care often saves it and prevents infection.
Should I go to the ER or the dentist?
For the tooth itself, a dentist is best and faster — call us for a same-day emergency visit. Go to the emergency room if you have heavy bleeding that won't stop, a possible broken jaw, or a serious facial injury.
Don't wait out a dental emergency.
Call now — the sooner we hear from you, the more we can do. Same-day care when we can, and we're open Saturdays.