Dental Accident: First Aid for a Knocked-Out Tooth
Every minute counts: how to save a knocked-out or broken tooth.
A fall from a bike, a ball in the face, a collision during training: dental accidents happen quickly – especially to children and sportspeople. If you react correctly, a knocked-out tooth can often be saved.
Only touch a knocked-out tooth by the crown, do not clean or disinfect it and store it moist immediately – ideally in a tooth rescue box, or if necessary in cold UHT milk. Then go to the dentist or emergency service straight away. The sooner the tooth is put back, the better the chances.
- Stay calmwith a head injury, unconsciousness or nausea, get medical help first (112).
- Find the toothkeep any fragments as well.
- Hold it by the crownnever by the root.
- Keep it moisttooth rescue box or cold UHT milk; not in water, not dry.
- Go to the dentist immediatelyduring our opening hours come to us (0911 554181), otherwise to the emergency dental service.
Broken tooth
Keep the fragment moist and bring it with you – it can often be bonded back on. Even if nothing hurts: have the tooth examined, because the nerve may also be injured.
Prevention
A custom mouthguard protects you in contact and high-risk sports – more under sports dentistry.
Frequently asked questions
May I put the tooth back in myself?
With permanent teeth this is possible in principle if the tooth is clean – in practice, however, it is better to keep it moist and go straight to the dentist. Baby teeth are not put back in.
Where can I get a tooth rescue box?
At any pharmacy. It keeps for several years.
This article is a translation of our German guide and does not replace a personal examination and consultation. If you have symptoms, please see a dentist – for example at the Zahnarztpraxis St. Peter in Nuremberg.
