Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment for Children in Indianapolis, IN
Find the tooth, hold it by the white part, keep it in milk, and call us right away.
What to Do Right Away
Baby teeth and permanent teeth need opposite first aid. Don’t put a baby tooth back in. Replanting it can injure the permanent tooth developing underneath, so bring the tooth with you and call us to have the area checked.
A permanent tooth has the best chance when it goes back in within minutes. Hold it by the white part, not the root. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently in milk without scrubbing. Then push it back into the socket, facing the right way, and have your child bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If that isn’t possible, or you’re not sure which kind of tooth it is, keep it in milk and call us right away.
While you get to our office:
Call us right away at 317-580-9199Click to call us. If you can’t reach us, go to the nearest emergency room and bring the tooth.
When you arrive at Smiling Kids Pediatric DentistryClick to open in this tab in Indianapolis, IN, tell us how long the tooth was out of the mouth and how it was kept. Those details help our doctors plan the right care, and we’ll keep your child comfortable the whole way through.
-
Step 1: Check the Injury
We examine your child’s teeth, gums, and lips and take dental X-raysClick to open in this tab to check the socket, nearby teeth, and the permanent teeth developing underneath.
-
Step 2: Replant or Protect
A permanent tooth is gently cleaned, placed back in its socket, and held with a flexible splint for about two weeks. Baby teeth aren’t replanted, so we clean the area and make sure nothing was left behind.
-
Step 3: Watch It Heal
For about two weeks after a tooth is replanted, your child should eat soft foods, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and skip contact sports.
No one can promise that every replanted tooth will last, but quick action and proper storage give it the best chance. Our Indianapolis, IN dentists will keep a close eye on it, and once it heals, a custom mouthguardClick to open in this tab can help protect your child’s smile during sports.
For about two weeks after a tooth is replanted, your child should eat soft foods, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and skip contact sports.
No one can promise that every replanted tooth will last, but quick action and proper storage give it the best chance. Our Indianapolis, IN dentists will keep a close eye on it, and once it heals, a custom mouthguardClick to open in this tab can help protect your child’s smile during sports.
-
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. Baby teeth shouldn’t be replanted, because pushing one back into the socket can injure the permanent tooth developing underneath.
Call us anyway. Bring the tooth so we can confirm it came out in one piece, and we’ll check your child’s gums, lips, and the teeth below for any other damage.
-
How can I tell if it's a baby tooth or a permanent tooth?
Your child’s age is the best clue. According to the American Dental Association, permanent front teeth usually come in between about ages 6 and 9, so a front tooth that grew in after a baby tooth fell out is likely permanent. Permanent teeth also have long roots, while a baby tooth that was already loose often has a short one.
If you’re not sure, don’t put it back in. Keep it in milk and call us. You can also learn more about how children’s teeth come in and fall outClick to open in this tab.
-
What's the best way to store a knocked-out tooth?
Milk is the best option most families have on hand. Your child’s saliva works too: have them spit into a small cup and place the tooth in it. Saline or a tooth preservation kit is also fine if you have one. Don’t let the tooth dry out, don’t wrap it in a tissue, and don’t have a young child hold it in their mouth, since they could swallow it. Water isn’t a good choice, but it’s better than letting the tooth dry.
These steps follow guidelines from the International Association of Dental Traumatology, which the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry endorses.
-
What if we can't find the tooth, or only part of it came out?
Call us either way. A tooth that seems to be missing may have been pushed into the gums instead of knocked out, and an exam with X-rays can tell the difference.
If only a piece broke off, save it in milk and bring it along. Our chipped or broken tooth repairClick to open in this tab page explains what happens next.
-
When should we go to the emergency room first?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if your child lost consciousness, is vomiting, seems confused, has trouble breathing or swallowing, may have a broken jaw, or has bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure. Bring the tooth in milk and call us once your child is stable.
For cut lips, loosened teeth, and other mouth injuries, see our pediatric dental trauma careClick to open in this tab page. Our dental emergenciesClick to open in this tab page covers other urgent problems.
Choose Specialized Care for
Your Child’s Smile
Schedule your child's consultation and begin a steady journey of lifelong oral health.
9240 N. Meridian St., Ste 250
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: 317-580-9199Click to call us
Email: info@smilingkidspeds.comClick to open in new tab
Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
9669 E. 146th St., Ste 260
Noblesville, IN 46060
Phone: 317-773-5437Click to call us
Email: info@smilingkidspeds.comClick to open in new tab
Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
