Knocked-out tooth · East Brisbane
Knocked-out tooth?
Act now.
A permanent tooth needs immediate help. Hold it by the crown, not the root. Put it back only if safe, or keep it in milk.
Baby tooth? Do not put it back.
If unsure, keep it in milk and seek urgent dental advice.
Call for immediate availability. If we cannot see you promptly, seek another urgent dental service. Do not wait for an online booking or text reply.
Read the immediate first-aid steps
Permanent tooth first aid
- 01
Pick up by the crown.
Hold the white part you normally see. Avoid touching or scrubbing the root.
- 02
Rinse gently if dirty.
Use milk or saline. Do not scrub or disinfect it, or let the tooth dry out.
- 03
Put it back, if you can.
Only for a permanent tooth, if the person is alert and cooperative and you can do it safely. Gently put it back facing the right way. Do not force it. Bite gently on clean gauze or a cloth.
- 04
Otherwise, keep it in milk.
Keep it covered in milk in a clean container. Saline or the person’s own saliva in a container are alternatives. See a dentist immediately, even if you put it back.
Serious injury? Breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness or a serious head/facial injury needs urgent medical care. Call 000.
The important distinction
Adult or baby tooth?
The next step is different.
A child may have permanent teeth as well as baby teeth. If you are uncertain, do not try to put the tooth back. Keep it in milk and seek urgent dental advice.
Act immediately.
Keep the tooth moist.
Prompt first aid and urgent dental assessment give the tooth its best chance. A tooth that has been put back still needs to be checked straight away.
See the first-aid stepsDo not reinsert
a baby tooth.
Putting it back can damage the developing permanent tooth. Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze for bleeding and contact a dentist for advice.
Children’s dental careYour urgent appointment
Your urgent visit,
clearly explained.
We assess the injury, explain what can be done and give you a clear next step. What is appropriate depends on the tooth, the injury and how long it has been out.
Assessment +
one dental X-ray
- Assessment of the tooth, surrounding tissues and nearby teeth.
- One dental X-ray included in the assessment fee.
- A clear explanation of recommended care and costs.
Assess the injury
We ask when and how it happened, how the tooth has been stored, and check the mouth and nearby teeth. Dental X-rays may be needed.
Stabilise, where appropriate
The dentist assesses whether the tooth can be replanted and whether a flexible splint is needed. Not every tooth can be saved.
Plan your follow-up
Review visits monitor healing. Further treatment, including root canal treatment, may be needed depending on the tooth and injury.
Additional imaging and treatment are separate. For a tooth knocked out just now, call for immediate help. Do not wait for an online booking or text reply.
EasyCare Family Dental
Urgent care.
Close to home.
Suite 103, 33 Lytton Road East Brisbane, QLD 4169
Above Seasons IGA, with free undercover parking underneath.
- Monday – Friday
- 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Outside opening hours?
We are not a 24-hour clinic. A knocked-out permanent tooth needs immediate help. If you cannot reach us, seek another emergency dental service rather than waiting for us to reopen or reply to a text.
After-hours information
Quick answers
What matters
right now.
These answers support first aid. They should not delay urgent dental or medical care.
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Sometimes. The chance depends on factors such as time out of the socket, how the tooth was handled and stored, and the injury itself. Seek help immediately. Do not assume it is too late or that a tooth put back in place is safe without an assessment.
What if I cannot put the tooth back?
Keep it covered in milk in a clean container and go to a dentist immediately. Do not let it dry out, scrub it or wrap it in tissue. If milk is unavailable, use saline or the person’s saliva in a container. Do not store it in water or keep a loose tooth inside a young child’s mouth, where it could be swallowed or inhaled.
What if the tooth is loose, pushed in or broken instead?
Do not pull out or force a tooth that is still in the mouth. Arrange urgent assessment. For a broken piece rather than a whole tooth, see our broken-tooth guide; see our dental-injury guide for broader impact injuries and emergency dental care for urgent service access. Pain without a recent injury is covered in the toothache guide.
Will the tooth need more treatment later?
Replanted teeth need follow-up to monitor healing. A splint, root canal treatment or other care may be needed. Your dentist will explain what applies to the particular tooth. More detail is in our avulsed-tooth management guide.
What should I tell the dentist when I call?
Say that a tooth has been knocked out, when the injury happened, whether it is a permanent or baby tooth if known, and whether it has been put back or stored in milk. Mention any other injuries. Bring the tooth with you.
Do not wait to see if it settles
Protect the tooth.
Get help now.
For a tooth knocked out now, call for immediate help.
Do not wait for online confirmation or a text reply.