What To Do If Your Tooth Is Knocked Out: Glendale Dentist Explains Step-by-Step

There are few moments more terrifying than seeing a permanent tooth in the palm of your hand. Whether it happened during a slide tackle on the soccer field, a trip on the pavement, or an unexpected collision, the shock of a knocked-out tooth (medically known as an avulsion) is instant and overwhelming. The gap in your smile feels massive, the blood can be frightening, and the panic sets in immediately. But amidst that panic, you need to know one crucial fact: A knocked-out tooth can often be saved. However, the difference between saving that tooth and losing it forever often comes down to what you do in the first 30 to 60 minutes after the accident. Every second counts. As your local dental experts, Infinite Dental Wellness wants to empower you with the knowledge to handle this crisis calmly and effectively. If you or a loved one has just suffered a dental injury, this guide is your lifeline. If you are searching for an “emergency dentist near me” in Glendale, stop reading and call us immediately. For everyone else, read on to learn exactly how to protect your smile when disaster strikes.

The “Golden Hour”: Why Time Is Everything

In emergency medicine, doctors talk about the “Golden Hour”—the critical window where trauma treatment is most effective. In dentistry, particularly for avulsed teeth, this window is even tighter. The root of your tooth is covered in delicate periodontal ligament cells. These cells are the “glue” that attaches your tooth to the bone. Once the tooth is out of the mouth, these cells begin to die rapidly due to dehydration and lack of nutrients. If the tooth is replanted while these cells are still alive (ideally within 30 minutes), the body can reattach the tooth naturally. If you wait longer than an hour, the likelihood of the tooth surviving drops significantly. After a few hours, the cells are dead, and while the tooth might be put back in, the body will eventually reject it or resorb the root over time. This is why knowing the steps before an accident happens is so vital. You don’t want to be Googling “knocked out tooth Glendale CA” while your hands are shaking. You want to act on instinct.

Immediate Action Plan: Step-by-Step Guide

If you are currently dealing with a knocked-out tooth, take a deep breath and follow these steps precisely.

Step 1: Locate the Tooth Immediately

Do not leave the scene without finding the tooth. If it fell in the dirt, grass, or on the floor, look carefully. If the tooth is fractured into pieces, try to find as many fragments as possible, but prioritize the main part of the tooth with the root attached. Critical Rule: Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white chewing surface), NOT the root. The root is extremely sensitive, and touching it can crush the remaining living cells we need to save the tooth. Think of the root as the “handle with care” zone—do not touch it!

Step 2: Clean the Tooth Gently (If Necessary)

If the tooth fell into dirt or debris, you need to clean it, but you must be incredibly gentle.

• Do: Rinse it briefly (10 seconds max) under cold running water or milk.
• Don’t: Scrub the tooth. Do not use soap, alcohol, peroxide, or toothpaste. Do not dry it with a towel or tissue. You want to preserve the slime layer on the root surface.

Step 3: Attempt Re-implantation

The best place for a tooth is in its own socket. If you can, try to put the tooth back in immediately.

• Orient the tooth correctly (make sure it’s facing the right way—smooth side out).
• Gently push it into the socket with your fingers.
• Bite down slowly on a piece of gauze, a handkerchief, or a clean cloth to hold it in place.
• Be careful not to swallow the tooth.

Note: Only do this for permanent (adult) teeth. Never try to re-implant a baby tooth. Re-implanting a primary tooth can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. If you aren’t sure if it’s a baby or adult tooth, keep it moist and see a dentist immediately.

Step 4: Keep the Tooth Moist

If you cannot get the tooth back into the socket (perhaps there is too much swelling, or you are too shaken up), you must keep the root moist to keep the cells alive.

• Best Option: Place the tooth in a container of cold milk. Milk has the right chemical balance (pH and proteins) to keep the root cells alive longer than water.
• Second Option: Hold the tooth inside your cheek, between the gum and cheek. Your saliva will protect it. (Be careful not to swallow it!)
• Third Option: Spit into a cup and place the tooth in your saliva.
• Emergency Kits: Some first aid kits contain a balanced salt solution (like Save-A-Tooth) specifically for this purpose.
• Avoid: Do not store the tooth in tap water for long periods if you can avoid it. Water causes the root cells to swell and burst (hypotonicity).

Step 5: Get to an Emergency Dentist in Glendale NOW

This is not a “wait and see” situation. You need to see a dentist immediately. Go to our Services Page to see our location details or simply head straight to our office. Call us on the way so we can prepare a treatment room for you.

Why You Should Avoid the ER for Dental Trauma

When an injury happens, our instinct is often to drive to the nearest hospital Emergency Room. However, for a knocked-out tooth, the ER is usually not the best place to go. Most hospital ERs do not have a dentist on staff. The medical doctors there are excellent at treating bodily trauma, but they are not trained to re-implant teeth or splint them correctly. They can stop the bleeding and give you pain medication, but they will likely tell you to see a dentist anyway—by which time, the “Golden Hour” may have passed, and the tooth may be lost. Exceptions: Go to the ER if:

• You have other severe injuries (broken bones, concussion, severe cuts).
• You lost consciousness or are dizzy/nauseous (signs of head trauma).
• The jaw is clearly broken or you cannot close your mouth.
• You have uncontrollable bleeding that won’t stop with pressure.

For isolated dental injuries, an emergency dentist near me is your best resource. We have the specific tools, splinting materials, and radiographic equipment to treat the tooth effectively.

What Happens When You Arrive at Infinite Dental Wellness

We understand that arriving at the dentist with a knocked-out tooth is a high-stress experience. Our team is trained to handle these emergencies with compassion and speed. Here is what you can expect during your visit.

1. Rapid Assessment and Anesthesia

First, we will make sure you are comfortable. We will likely administer local anesthesia to numb the area, as the gums and socket will be very painful. We will also check for any other damage to the lips, tongue, or surrounding teeth.

2. Cleaning and Re-implantation

If you haven’t already put the tooth back in, we will carefully clean the socket to remove any blood clots or debris. We will then gently re-insert the tooth into its original position. If you already put it back in, we will verify its position with an X-ray.

3. Splinting

Once the tooth is in place, it needs support to heal. We will use a flexible splint—usually a thin wire or composite material—to attach the loose tooth to the healthy teeth on either side. This acts like a cast for a broken arm, holding the tooth steady while the ligaments reattach.

• The splint is usually left on for 2 weeks. Rigid splinting is avoided as it can cause ankylosis (where the tooth fuses directly to the bone instead of the ligament).

4. Antibiotics and Tetanus Shot

Because the tooth was out of the mouth and potentially exposed to dirt, there is a risk of infection. We will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics. We will also ask about your tetanus vaccination status. If it has been more than 5-10 years since your last booster, we may refer you to get one.

5. Root Canal Treatment

In almost all cases of knocked-out permanent teeth, the nerve inside the tooth is severed and will die. This dead tissue can cause infection and root resorption. Therefore, a root canal is usually necessary.

• Timing: We often start the root canal 7-10 days after the injury, once the initial healing has begun, or we may place a medication inside the tooth during the first visit to calm inflammation.

Long-Term Outlook: What to Expect

Saving a knocked-out tooth is a journey, not a one-time fix. After the initial emergency visit, you will need follow-up care to monitor the healing process.

The Follow-Up Visits

You will need to return to our office to have the splint removed, usually after two weeks. We will check the stability of the tooth and take new X-rays to look for signs of bone healing or root resorption. You can learn more about our ongoing care philosophy on our About Page.

Potential Complications

Even with perfect immediate care, avulsed teeth can sometimes fail over time.

• Resorption: The body may view the replanted tooth as a foreign object and start to break down the root structure.
• Ankylosis: The tooth root fuses directly to the jawbone. While the tooth is stable, it may look different over time (especially in growing children) because it won’t move naturally with the jaw growth.
• Discoloration: The tooth may turn gray or dark. This is a sign the nerve has died (if a root canal hasn’t been done yet) or can be a reaction to the trauma. Internal bleaching or veneers can fix this cosmetic issue later.

despite these risks, replantation is always worth trying. A natural tooth—even one with a root canal—is superior to any artificial replacement in terms of function and bone preservation.

Prevention: Protecting Glendale’s Athletes and Families

While accidents happen, many knocked-out teeth are preventable. Glendale is an active community, with kids and adults participating in soccer, basketball, football, and martial arts.

The Power of Mouthguards

The single most effective way to prevent tooth avulsion is a mouthguard.

• Stock Mouthguards: Cheap and pre-formed, but often bulky and uncomfortable.
• Boil-and-Bite: Better fit, available at sporting goods stores.
• Custom-Fit Mouthguards: These are made by us at Infinite Dental Wellness. We take an impression of your teeth and create a guard that fits perfectly. It offers the best protection, is comfortable, and doesn’t impede breathing or speaking.

If you or your child plays contact sports, visit our Patient Information Page to ask about custom mouthguards. It is a small investment that can save you thousands of dollars in emergency dental work.

Childproofing

For younger children, knocked-out teeth often happen due to falls at home.

• Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs.
• Place corner guards on sharp coffee tables.

What If the Tooth Cannot Be Saved?

In some cases—if the tooth was out of the mouth too long, crushed, or if there is severe bone damage—replantation might not be possible. While this is disappointing, it is not the end of your smile. Modern dentistry offers excellent replacement options.

Dental Implants

This is the gold standard for replacing a single missing tooth. A titanium post is placed in the jawbone (acting as a new root), and a porcelain crown is attached on top. It looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth.

Dental Bridges

A bridge uses the adjacent healthy teeth to support a false tooth in the gap. This is a fixed option that does not require surgery.

Dentures

For multiple missing teeth, partial dentures can be a removable solution. We discuss all these options in detail on our Blog Page, helping you understand the best path forward for your specific situation.

Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness for Your Emergency?

When you are typing “knocked out tooth Glendale CA” into your phone, you are looking for more than just a dentist; you are looking for reassurance. You need a team that is:

• Available: We prioritize emergencies because we know the biological clock is ticking on your tooth.
• Experienced: Trauma dentistry requires specific skills in splinting and endodontics (root canals). Our team is highly trained in these procedures.
• Compassionate: We know you are scared. We take the time to explain what is happening, calm your nerves, and treat you with gentleness.
• Technologically Advanced: Our office is equipped with digital imaging to assess bone fractures and root integrity instantly.

We are proud to serve the Glendale community, helping our neighbors through some of their most stressful dental moments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knocked-Out Teeth

Can a baby tooth be put back in?

No. Never try to re-implant a primary (baby) tooth. Doing so can push the tooth up into the socket and damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. If a baby tooth is knocked out, apply pressure to stop bleeding and see a dentist to ensure no fragments remain, but leave the tooth out.

What if I swallow the tooth?

If you think you swallowed the tooth, you may need a chest X-ray to ensure it went into your stomach (where it will pass harmlessly) and not into your lungs (aspiration), which is a medical emergency.

Does it hurt to put the tooth back in?

It can be tender, but re-implanting it immediately is usually less painful than leaving the socket open. The adrenaline of the moment often masks the pain. Once you are at our office, we will ensure you are numb for any further treatment.

How much does it cost to fix a knocked-out tooth?

The cost varies depending on whether the tooth can be saved, if a root canal is needed, and if splinting is required. We accept various insurance plans and offer financing options. We believe financial worry shouldn’t prevent you from saving your tooth. Check our Home Page for more info on our practice policies.

A Final Word on Preparedness

We hope you never have to use the information in this blog post. However, being prepared is the best insurance. Take a moment today to:

1. Save our number in your phone: (818) 541-1110.
2. Buy a small “Save-A-Tooth” kit for your car or sports bag.
3. Talk to your kids about what to do if they or a friend loses a tooth at school or practice.

Accidents are unpredictable, but your reaction doesn’t have to be. With quick thinking and the help of an emergency dentist near me, a knocked-out tooth can be just a temporary bump in the road, not a permanent loss. At Infinite Dental Wellness, we are dedicated to saving smiles in Glendale, one emergency at a time. Do not hesitate—your swift action combined with our expertise is the winning formula. Call before you arrive—we may save your tooth.