Help! My Kid Knocked Their Tooth Out

Though we can usually plan our child’s regular check-ups, dental emergencies don’t come with a warning. Here's how you can navigate your child's knocked-out tooth, keep them calm, and keep your cool.

One of the scariest situations we can face as parents is when our child knocks out a tooth. At Tenth Street Family Dental, we understand the fear, and we’re here to help with emergency dentistry in our Indianapolis, Indiana, office.

Whether it happens on the soccer field, during horseplay, or from a sudden fall, unexpected tooth loss is a moment that can send any parent into a panic.

But we’re on your side and ready to lead you through it to the other side. With fast action, there’s a real chance we can save your child’s tooth. Here’s what to do.

Reach out immediately

The first step is to call our Indianapolis office. Time is critical. A knocked-out tooth is still living tissue, and the best chance of saving it is immediate reinsertion.

The American Association of Endodontists recommends seeing a dentist within half an hour to give a knocked-out tooth the best chance of survival. Call us as soon as possible, even while you’re heading to the office so that we can prepare for your arrival.

At Tenth Street Family Dental, we're happy to prioritize your child's knocked-out tooth and other dental emergencies.

We leave pockets of time in our daily schedule to account for urgent situations, so don't hesitate to reach out. We offer weekday and Saturday hours and are happy to help.

Handle the tooth gently

Grasp the tooth by the top portion (the crown), taking care not to touch the root. Rinse it briefly with warm water if needed. Never scrub or use any type of disinfectant.

Replace or store the tooth

If your child is calm enough and able to follow directions, try placing the tooth gently back into the socket and have them hold it in place by biting down softly on a piece of clean gauze. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this option only for kids 12 and older.

If that isn’t possible, don’t worry, there's a great backup option: Believe it or not, cow's milk! It contains proteins that help preserve the tooth's root cells, keeping it alive until you get to our office.

Submerge the tooth in a cup or baggie containing milk, if possible. You can even soak a paper towel in milk and wrap it around the tooth. Some studies suggest that almond milk can also help preserve knocked-out teeth.

Keep calm

Easier said than done, right? We get it. It's hard not to panic when your child is hurt, especially when there’s blood or a missing tooth involved.

Your calm response sets the tone. Kids mirror how we handle stressful situations. If you stay steady and reassuring, they’ll feel safer and more in control.

Take a few seconds to breathe in deeply and remind yourself that everything will be okay. Your child will feel your sense of calm, making the dental experience much easier for both of you.

Don't worry about worst-case scenarios, focus on the fact that you're coming to us for expert care. We will find a solution for your child to quickly stop their pain and restore their smile.

Even if it's too late to reimplant the tooth, we can replace it with a natural-looking restoration.

If your child ever has a tooth knocked out, contact us immediately. Call Tenth Street Family Dental at 317-358-8885.