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Dental trauma

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Advice on what to do if your child damages and/or knocks out, their Primary (baby/milk) or Permanent (adult) teeth.

Video: Save a knocked out tooth

Save a knocked out tooth - Dental Trauma UK

Primary (baby) tooth trauma
  • If your child loses a primary tooth (baby tooth) due to trauma – do not reimplant the tooth.
  • If your child has experienced a dental trauma affecting a primary tooth/teeth – contact your General Dental Practitioner. If your child is not registered with a dentist, or it is out of office hours, phone 111 for advice.
  • If your child loses consciousness or there are any associated injuries, seek emergency medical advice.
Permanent (adult) tooth trauma – tooth out of the socket (avulsion)
  • Time is crucial. Getting the tooth back in place as quickly as possible is very important and will affect the long term survival of the tooth.
  • Hold the tooth by the crown (white part that you can see in the mouth) and put the tooth back into the socket immediately, if possible. This will significantly improve the long term survival of the tooth. Do not worry about the position, this can be corrected by a dentist.
  • If the tooth has been contaminated with dirt, hold by the crown and run under water before re-implanting.
  • If this is not possible, store the tooth in either saliva, saline (from a first aid box) or milk. Avoid letting the tooth become dry.
  • See a dentist as soon as possible. If it is out of office hours you can contact 111 for advice.
  • If your child loses consciousness or there are any associated injuries, seek emergency medical advice.
Permanent (adult) tooth trauma – tooth/teeth still in the mouth
  • Time is crucial. Getting the tooth back in place as quickly as possible is very important and will affect the long term survival of the tooth.
  • If your child has experienced a dental trauma affecting a permanent tooth– contact your dentist for advice. If your child is not registered with a dentist or it is out of office hours phone 111.
  • If your child loses consciousness or there are any associated injuries, seek emergency medical advice.
Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 18 October 2021

Next review: 18 October 2024

Approved By: Francesca Capaldi