Knocked-Out Tooth? Act Fast, Call Now
A knocked-out adult tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. You have roughly one to two hours to save it. Follow these steps and call us immediately.
Call 509-284-8636
When an adult tooth is knocked completely out, every minute matters. With the right first aid and fast treatment, there is a real chance the tooth can be saved and re-implanted, but that window closes quickly.
Call Emergency Dentist of Spokane the moment it happens. While you are on your way, follow the steps below to give the tooth the best possible chance.
What to Do Immediately
- 1Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), never touch the root.
- 2If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or clean water. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue.
- 3If you can, gently place the tooth back into its socket and bite down softly on clean gauze to hold it in place.
- 4If you cannot reinsert it, store the tooth in a container of milk (or saliva, or a saline solution, not plain water).
- 5Call us immediately and get to our office within one to two hours.
Important: Baby Teeth Are Different
Do NOT try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth, doing so can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Instead, call us for guidance. For any knocked-out tooth accompanied by a serious head injury or heavy bleeding, seek medical care first.
Why Speed Matters So Much
The cells on the root of a knocked-out tooth begin to die within about 30 to 60 minutes once the tooth is dry. Keeping the tooth moist in milk and getting to us fast dramatically improves the odds of successful re-implantation. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will discuss replacement options such as a bridge or implant.
Explore all of our emergency dental services or find care in your area.
Care You Can Trust in Spokane
Emergency Dentist of Spokane is a licensed, insured dental practice serving Spokane and the surrounding communities. The first-aid guidance on this page follows the same principles taught by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Endodontists, and every treatment we recommend is explained and itemized before we begin, so you always know your options and costs up front.
We treat patients of all ages, with or without insurance, and we hold same-day appointments open for genuine emergencies. If you are unsure whether your symptoms need urgent care, call 509-284-8636 and a member of our team will help you decide. You can also read more about our practice or review typical emergency dental costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every Minute Counts, Call Now
Keep the tooth moist in milk and phone us immediately. We will get you in fast.