Tooth Pain – Knocked out tooth Chapter 4 ( Part b)

by Denticare
Updated: 06 November, 2025
Tooth Ache

”Unfortunately someone you know got their tooth knocked out ” Do you know what to do?

To answer this question let us understand three medical terminologies ,(Avulsion ,luxation ,periodontal ligament).

Teeth are kept in the mouth by means of ligaments which connects the jaw bone and teeth. This tiny fibrous connective tissue called periodontal ligament. When excessive impact force applied these ligaments give away, tooth become loose, which is termed as Tooth luxation. In case of tooth completely knocked out of the mouth, we call it Tooth avulsion.These kind of events are likely to happen between the age of 8-12 years and the tooth involved usually be front teeth.

An Avulsed tooth (Expelled tooth) can be replanted in position. After brief healing period it can integrate into your jaw bone . However, there are few simple instructions that you should follow to get the best results.

Why Should you bother to put back the knocked out tooth?

Another permanent tooth will not grow in that place.
Replacing the lost tooth with prosthetic tooth can be expensive and never like your own tooth.
Average life of incisor teeth is more than 50 years,if you lose it at the age of 10, it had served only 4 years.
Avulsed tooth will have good chance of success if we replant with in 20-30 minutes .

Who are at risk?

In the case of adult ,the tooth is very likely to break into pieces rather than avulsion .

In contrast , kids and teenegers, if impact occurs , because of the flexible nature of bone may result in tooth avulsion.

What you should do?

If the tooth is luxated and still in the mouth, see your dentists as soon as possible.
In case of avulsed tooth, locate the tooth .
Rinse it in clean running water/saline for 10 seconds.
Keep the tooth in milk / saline / and see your dentists as soon as possible.
Replanting the tooth within 30 minutes have good success.

What will your dentists do

Clean the wound with antiseptic solution.
Rinse and position the tooth in the jaw.
Choose for any other injuries and general neurological assessments.
Take x-rays and check for fragments.
Prescribe antibiotics.
Advise TT (Tetanus Toxicity)injection if required.
Antibiotics and painkillers to facilitate the healing.
Splint the tooth to resting movement.

Key Points

Always wear specialised mouth guards during contact sports.
If the tooth replanted within the first one hour likelihood success is high.

Frequently Asked Questions

A knocked-out tooth, also called an avulsed tooth, occurs when the entire tooth is completely displaced from its socket due to trauma, accidents, or injury. It is considered a dental emergency because the tissues, nerves, and supporting structures get damaged instantly. Immediate action is crucial to save the tooth—keeping it moist, avoiding touching the root, and reaching a dentist within 30 minutes increases the chances of successful reimplantation and long-term survival.

A knocked-out tooth has the highest chance of survival when reimplanted within 15–30 minutes. After 60 minutes, the success rate decreases significantly because the tooth root begins to dry out and the cells that support reattachment start dying. If the tooth is stored in milk, saline, or inside the mouth next to the cheek, its lifespan outside the socket can extend slightly. However, immediate dental care remains essential to save the tooth.

A tooth that becomes loose after an injury indicates damage to the supporting tissues, ligaments, or surrounding bone. The tooth may feel mobile, painful, or sensitive when biting or touching. If untreated, the looseness can worsen, leading to infection, nerve injury, or eventual tooth loss. A dentist can stabilize the tooth using splinting, assess root or gum damage, and recommend appropriate care. Seeking prompt dental attention helps preserve the tooth and prevent long-term complications.