What happens when you knock off your teeth during a fall? Can this tooth be reinserted within the tooth socket?

The answer is yes, but with the attached terms and conditions. An avulsed tooth is when the permanent tooth is knocked off the tooth socket following some injury. An avulsed tooth can be saved and reattached if the circumstances are favorable.

A tooth that is avulsed or completely dislodged from the socket is a case of medical emergency and is accompanied by massive blood loss and increased chances of infection, in addition to the mental trauma of losing the tooth. Suppose the injury or the trauma has caused the entire tooth and root to come out. In that case, it must be stored in recommended solutions that protect it from the environment, maintain a pH balance similar to that in natural conditions, and prevent moisture loss. The teeth treated in the first half an hour to one hour of the avulsion have better chances of saving and surviving. 

Ideally, if a dentist is not immediately available, the tooth must be stored in a hypochlorite solution. However, the availability of the solution may not be easy; in such cases, the knocked-off tooth can be stored in milk, salt solution, or the patient’s saliva and taken immediately to the nearest dentist.

Following an accident, assault, or trauma after the tooth is out of the socket; the individual may be a bit disoriented considering the situation. People nearby or the individual can first pick the tooth by the crown, that is, the visible white portion of the tooth, and rinse it with either water or milk to remove dust and dirt from the tooth. Touching the tooth at the root/ or the part that is usually not visible must not be connected under any circumstances. Additionally, soapy solutions and scrubs must not be used to clean the tooth. The tooth can now be placed back in the socket, and then a napkin can be used to bite the tooth while going to the nearest dentist gently.

Another procedure could be to place the tooth in a glass of room temperature milk, saline solution, saliva, or in the patient’s cheek itself, or in hypochlorite solution that may be available in first aid kits instead of placing it in the socket. The avulsed tooth must not be stored in water as it may harm the tooth.

In both cases, the dentist must be immediately consulted for advice and further treatment procedure. A dentist will evaluate the condition and use splinting and root canal treatment procedures according to their evaluation.

In case of knocked-out teeth, login to MyDentalPlan  to find the nearest dentist and get started with the treatment at the earliest.

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About the Author:

Dr. Rituparna Dubey

Dr. Rituparna Dubey is a BDS graduate from MCODS, Manipal, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Hospital Administration from TISS, Mumbai. She has additionally worked as a freelance content curator with many clients before joining Accenture Operations as a Medical underwriter.

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.