What is Tooth Avulsion

Tooth avulsion is the loss of a tooth due to the tooth falling out or being knocked out of its place in the gum (socket). This condition must be treated at a dental clinic or an emergency department right away.

Your health care provider will evaluate whether the tooth can be placed back into its original position (replanted) if it is an adult tooth. (Baby teeth do not usually need replanting.) Your treatment will also include controlling any bleeding or pain.

The sooner the tooth is replanted, the better the chance that it can be saved. It is usually best if the tooth is replanted within one hour of avulsion. However, even if it has been longer than one hour, it is still important to visit your dentist as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.

Follow these instructions at home:

Before going to the dentist or emergency department:

• Find the tooth if it is outside of the mouth. Do not touch the bottom (roots) of the tooth.
• Wash the tooth for 10 seconds under cold running water or bottled water. Do not scrub the tooth.
• Gently reposition the tooth in its original socket. If the tooth cannot be repositioned, immediately place the tooth in a glass of cold milk or hold the tooth inside your mouth under your tongue or between your molars and your cheek.

After coming home from the dentist or emergency department:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Avoid activities that have a high risk of dental injury, such as contact sports, for two weeks or as directed by your health care provider. Wear a mouth guard while playing contact sports.
• Brush the tooth with a soft toothbrush after every meal.
• Eat a soft diet for two weeks or as directed by your health care provider.
• Use a chlorhexidine mouth rinse twice a day or as directed by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• There is blood, fluid, or pus coming from the tooth socket.
• You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
• You develop a fever.

Summary

• Tooth avulsion is the loss of a tooth due to the tooth falling out or being knocked out.
• If the tooth was an adult tooth, your health care provider will see if it can be placed back into its original position (replanted). Baby teeth will not usually need to be replanted.
• The sooner the tooth is replanted, the better the chance that it can be saved.