AUSTRALIA — If a tooth has been completely knocked out, act immediately. First check for serious head, neck, jaw injuries or uncontrolled bleeding; call Triple Zero (000) for a life-threatening emergency. If the knocked-out tooth is a PERMANENT (adult) tooth, pick it up by the white crown, never the root. If dirty, gently rinse very briefly in milk or saline without scrubbing. If the person is alert and cooperative, gently place the tooth back into its original socket and ask them to bite carefully on a clean soft cloth. If you cannot safely replant it, keep it moist in milk or the person’s saliva in a clean container and seek emergency dental care, ideally within 30 minutes. NEVER replant a baby tooth.
This distinction is crucial. Australia’s Healthdirect, South Australia Dental and Victoria’s Better Health Channel agree that permanent teeth may sometimes be saved by immediate action, while attempting to reinsert a baby tooth can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. If you cannot determine which kind of tooth it is, do not force it into the gum: keep it moist and seek urgent dental advice.
12 immediate actions — knocked-out tooth first-aid checklist
- Check personal safety and serious injuries. A fall, collision or sports accident may also cause concussion, jaw injury or significant bleeding.
- Call 000 for an emergency. Unconsciousness, major head or neck injury, uncontrolled bleeding, severe breathing difficulty or other serious trauma requires urgent ambulance help.
- Identify whether the tooth is permanent or baby. If uncertain, avoid reinsertion and seek urgent dental assessment.
- Find the knocked-out permanent tooth promptly. Handle it by the crown, the smooth white visible part, not its delicate root.
- Do not scrub, scrape or handle the root. Soft cells attached to the root are important to successful reimplantation.
- If dirty, rinse the permanent tooth briefly in milk or saline. If neither is available, a very brief water rinse is preferable to pushing dirt into the socket; do not soak in water.
- For an alert, cooperative patient, gently replant the permanent tooth if possible. Place it in the original socket in the correct orientation; do not force it.
- Keep a replanted tooth stable. Ask the person to gently bite on a clean cloth, tissue or other suitable soft material while travelling to a dentist.
- If reinsertion is not possible, keep the tooth moist. Place it in milk, sterile saline or a clean container with the injured person’s saliva; do not store it dry or in plain water.
- Never replant a baby tooth. Keep it for the dentist if possible, and arrange prompt examination to assess gum and other tooth injuries.
- Seek an emergency dentist immediately. Aim for treatment within 30 minutes where possible; do not give up even if more time has passed.
- Follow dental aftercare and attend review appointments. A replanted permanent tooth may require stabilisation, monitoring and later root canal treatment.
If the tooth was knocked out just now, prioritise safe tooth handling and urgent dental assessment. Do not spend the next half-hour reading the longer explanation.
Why time matters so much for a permanent tooth
A permanent tooth is held in its socket by delicate periodontal ligament cells and surrounding tissues. When the tooth is knocked out completely, those tissues begin to deteriorate, particularly if the root dries out. Protecting them is one of the most important reasons to handle the tooth by its crown and keep it moist.
Healthdirect Australia advises trying to reach a dentist or hospital within 30 minutes. It also states that a tooth may sometimes still be saved as long as two hours after the injury, but the chances are better with rapid treatment. The purpose of the 30-minute target is to encourage immediate action, not to suggest that dental care becomes pointless at minute 31.
South Australia’s public dental service similarly urges immediate reinsertion of a permanent tooth when it can be done safely and prompt professional examination. The sooner the tooth is managed, the more likely it is that the tissues needed for healing will remain viable.
A common mistake is to spend twenty minutes looking for an ice pack, sending photographs to relatives or searching for a premium dental clinic. The essential first aid is simple: protect the root, keep the tooth moist or replant it appropriately, and get qualified treatment without delay.
Do not make an otherwise injured patient walk or travel unsafely just to meet the ideal timing. If there are serious head, jaw or breathing concerns, emergency medical care takes priority and a bystander can preserve the tooth for assessment.
Permanent teeth versus baby teeth: the first decision
The two categories of teeth need different first aid. A permanent tooth may be replanted; a baby tooth must not be pushed back into its socket. Replanting a primary tooth can injure the permanent tooth developing beneath the gum.
Children begin getting permanent teeth at different ages and can have a mixture of baby and adult teeth. A tooth knocked out of a school-aged child’s mouth is not necessarily a baby tooth. Front permanent teeth may appear from about the early primary-school years onwards, so age alone is not a reliable test.
Victoria’s Better Health Channel explains that baby teeth are often smaller, smoother and whiter, while newly erupted permanent teeth may be larger and have small bumps on the biting edge. But these are not enough for a confident diagnosis in every emergency.
If you are unsure, do not attempt reinsertion. Keep the tooth moist in a suitable medium and seek urgent dental evaluation. An emergency dentist can identify the tooth and assess the injured gum, neighbouring teeth and developing adult teeth.
Do not throw away a knocked-out baby tooth before the dentist has had a chance to examine it, especially if the full tooth is not accounted for. A dentist may need to consider whether a missing fragment was swallowed, inhaled or remains in tissue.
Do not assume that a child who stops crying is fully recovered. A fall can injure the lips, gums, jaw and other teeth even when the knocked-out tooth cannot be replanted.
Pick up a permanent tooth by the crown, not the root
The crown is the smooth white portion of the tooth normally visible above the gum. The root is the narrower, usually yellowish part that was embedded in the jaw. Root tissues are fragile and can be damaged through handling, scraping, rubbing or drying.
Use clean hands when practical, but do not delay locating a tooth that has landed on a floor or grass. Pick it up gently by the crown. Avoid squeezing or touching the root even when it looks dirty. A quick attempt to “clean” it thoroughly can harm the cells that help it attach again.
Do not use tweezers to grip the root, scrape it with a fingernail or scrub it with a toothbrush. Do not wrap the tooth in tissue, a towel or dry cotton wool. Dry storage can reduce the chance of successful reimplantation.
If the person is bleeding heavily, prioritise serious bleeding and any emergency response. Another helper can search for the tooth while the patient is assessed. A tooth can be cared for alongside emergency aid rather than replacing it.
If the tooth is broken into several fragments rather than completely avulsed, collect the pieces and seek dental care, but do not try to glue them together. Fractures and full avulsions require different professional management.
What if the tooth falls onto a dirty surface?
A knocked-out tooth may land on sand, a school field, a bathroom tile or a sports court. If a permanent tooth is visibly dirty, Australian dental guidance recommends a very brief rinse, preferably using milk or saline. If neither is available and the alternative is inserting obvious dirt into the socket, a quick water rinse may be necessary.
Do not scrub or soak. Better Health Victoria explicitly warns against cleaning the root with force. Healthdirect also advises only a brief water rinse when required and avoiding prolonged immersion.
If dirt cannot be removed without scraping, preserve the tooth in an appropriate moist medium and let the dentist manage it. A clinician has techniques and equipment to assess the root and wound without causing unnecessary harm.
Do not use soap, bleach, alcohol, mouthwash, disinfectant or antiseptic solution to clean the tooth. Such products can damage the tissue cells that are important for reintegration.
Avoid dipping the tooth repeatedly between different liquids in an attempt to sterilise it. The goal is to prevent drying and avoid excessive handling, not to make it perfectly clean at home.
A clean container with a little milk or sterile saline is useful when reinsertion cannot be achieved. Make sure the tooth is fully covered if using a liquid storage medium.
How to replant a permanent tooth safely
When the person is conscious, cooperative, able to follow instructions and the tooth is confidently recognised as permanent, Australian public dental guidance supports prompt reinsertion into the original socket. Hold by the crown and orient it to match neighbouring teeth.
Guide the root gently into the socket. Do not force the tooth if there is resistance or if the person is too distressed to cooperate safely. The purpose is to replace an avulsed permanent tooth, not to push an unknown object into a wound.
After reinsertion, ask the person to gently bite on a clean soft cloth or tissue to hold the tooth steady while obtaining emergency dental care. South Australia’s public dental service also describes using an appropriate mouthguard or gentle foil support in some circumstances, but professional advice and patient safety take priority.
Replanting does not eliminate the need for an emergency appointment. A dentist needs to check position, stability, nerve and root condition, and possible injuries to neighbouring structures.
If there is suspected jaw fracture, serious head injury, unconsciousness or a risk that the tooth could be inhaled, do not attempt to replant it. Keep it moist and give the information to ambulance and hospital staff.
A child who is frightened, confused or uncooperative may not be safe to have a loose replanted tooth in their mouth. In that situation, preserve it in a container and get professional help.
How to store a permanent tooth when reinsertion is not possible
The tooth must not be allowed to dry out. South Australia Dental and Victoria’s Better Health Channel recommend milk or the injured person’s saliva in a clean container; sterile saline is another suitable option when available.
Do not keep the tooth in a glass of ordinary tap water for a prolonged time. Water can damage the root’s cells and is not recommended as a storage medium. Likewise, do not place the tooth on ice or into a freezer. Cold storage in a suitable medium is different from direct freezing.
Some public first-aid advice mentions carrying the tooth in the mouth between cheek and gum. However, this can create a swallowing or choking hazard, especially for children, someone in shock or a person who is not fully alert. A secure container with milk or saliva is safer in those circumstances.
Do not wrap the tooth in a dry tissue and place it in a pocket. The root may dry before the person reaches the dentist. A sealed container also helps prevent losing the tooth during transport.
Use a small amount of milk sufficient to cover the tooth and keep the container with the injured person. If milk is unavailable or unsuitable because of allergies, ask the dentist or emergency service about other appropriate storage options.
If the person needs hospital treatment for other injuries, tell medical staff at arrival that a permanent tooth is being transported in a suitable medium and when the avulsion occurred.
Why baby teeth must never be replanted
A primary tooth that has come out after an injury should not be inserted back into the gum. The developing permanent tooth lies beneath, and pushing the baby tooth into the socket can injure the permanent tooth bud or affect its future growth.
The child still needs a dental examination. The dentist can assess whether neighbouring teeth, gums, lips or jaw were damaged and whether the tooth was fully knocked out or fractured.
If a primary tooth is lost in a sports accident, find it if you can do so safely and bring it along. Do not delay urgent care searching for a small fragment that may be impossible to find. Tell the dentist if the tooth cannot be accounted for.
Clean the mouth gently according to suitable professional first-aid advice and use a cold compress on the outside of the face for swelling where appropriate. Avoid pressing ice directly against skin or an open wound.
Do not let the child bite down on an object that could obstruct breathing or worsen an injured gum. A dental professional can advise on pain management, diet and follow-up.
A missing baby tooth can affect speech, appearance or how adjacent teeth move, depending on the age and location. These are follow-up issues that can be considered after the immediate injury is assessed.
What if you are not sure whether it is a baby tooth?
Uncertainty is common in children aged roughly six to twelve because permanent teeth are appearing while some primary teeth remain. A tooth’s size, colour and position may help, but a layperson should not force a conclusion during a stressful injury.
The safest practical response to uncertainty is do not replant, keep the tooth moist in milk or saline, control bleeding, and seek urgent dental advice. Both South Australia Dental and Better Health Victoria identify this as the appropriate precaution.
Tell the dentist the child’s age and which tooth appears to be missing, and show any available photograph taken before the injury if it helps identify the usual dentition. Do not try to find the socket by pushing the tooth into several gaps.
Even if the patient says the tooth is permanent, confirm with a professional when uncertain. Some children may not know which teeth they have already lost naturally. The critical difference between baby and permanent teeth justifies caution.
A dentist can assess whether the injury involves a baby tooth, newly erupted permanent tooth or displaced rather than fully knocked-out tooth. The treatment and longer-term monitoring may differ.
Mouth bleeding: what to do while preparing dental care
A knocked-out tooth may cause bleeding from the gum. Apply gentle but firm pressure with a clean dressing or cloth as appropriate, without compressing an embedded object or causing further injury. If the person has a replanted tooth, ask them to bite gently on suitable material to stabilise it, following first-aid guidance.
Excessive bleeding, breathing difficulty or serious trauma changes the situation into a medical emergency. Call 000 and follow dispatcher instructions. Do not make a person lie flat if their airway is threatened by blood or vomiting; seek the operator’s advice on safe positioning.
Do not ask someone who is fainting or confused to place loose objects into their mouth. Preserving airway safety is more important than reinserting a tooth under those circumstances.
A cold compress applied externally may help swelling. Wrap ice or a cold pack in a cloth rather than placing it directly against skin. Do not delay professional treatment while trying multiple home remedies.
Avoid forcing the patient to rinse violently, spit repeatedly or probe the socket with a finger. The gum is injured and the tooth may be capable of reimplantation with appropriate care.
If the patient is taking anticoagulants or has a medical bleeding disorder, tell the dentist or emergency service. Their medical history may affect bleeding management and the urgency of assessment.
Sports accidents: football, netball, basketball and cycling
Dental avulsion may occur in contact sports, falls and collisions. A player may be struck in the mouth by an elbow, ball, bicycle handlebar or another person’s head. The injury may involve more than one tooth, lips and jaw.
Stop play and move the injured person out of immediate danger. Check for head injury, neck pain, loss of consciousness, confusion or other significant symptoms before concentrating on the tooth. A suspected concussion or serious injury requires medical assessment alongside the dental emergency.
A trained first aider can assign one person to collect the tooth by the crown, another to contact an emergency dentist, and another to check the player’s condition. Do not let the athlete run around searching for the tooth if the mouth is bleeding or the person feels dizzy.
Mouthguards reduce the risk of dental injuries. Better Health Channel advises wearing an appropriate mouthguard during sport, and professional fitting may provide suitable protection for particular activities.
A mouthguard does not prevent every injury and must not be used to secure a knocked-out tooth in a person who cannot safely cooperate. Sports clubs should keep a suitable tooth-storage container and know the nearest emergency dental service.
After an injury, do not return to play merely because the tooth has been pushed back into place. Medical and dental professionals must assess whether the person is safe to resume activity.
Bicycle and scooter falls: assess more than the mouth
A child who falls from a bicycle and loses a tooth may also have struck their head. Check the circumstances, helmet condition, responsiveness, neck symptoms and any other injuries. Do not assume the only harm is dental because the tooth is the most visible problem.
If there is altered consciousness, seizure, persistent vomiting, serious head injury, heavy uncontrolled bleeding or trouble breathing, call 000. Preserve the tooth separately in a safe container while ambulance care is organised.
The person should not be asked to ride home or walk a long distance with an unstable tooth and jaw pain. A responsible adult should arrange safe transport to urgent dental or hospital care.
Avoid trying to hold a bicycle or scooter upright in traffic while searching for the tooth. Move equipment out of the road only where it is safe, then focus on the patient.
A parent may take a photograph of the tooth or mouth for the dentist when doing so does not delay care or expose the child to danger. It is not appropriate to circulate graphic images in a school or neighbourhood chat.
After treatment, review helmet use, suitable road safety, sport equipment and protective mouthguards rather than assuming the same injury will never recur.
What if a tooth is pushed sideways but not knocked out?
A tooth may be displaced, loose or partly pushed into the gum instead of coming completely out. This is different from full avulsion and may require urgent professional repositioning and stabilisation.
Do not pull on a displaced tooth to “straighten” it at home. You may damage the root or supporting bone. Ask the dentist or emergency service for guidance and protect the area from further impact.
Healthdirect says a dentist may stabilise a displaced tooth using a splint or bonding. The best method depends on the position, tooth type and surrounding structures.
A broken tooth may expose the sensitive internal tissue or pulp. Save fragments in milk or sterile saline when possible and seek urgent dental assessment. A tooth fragment may sometimes help with repair, but a dentist must decide the treatment.
Do not attempt to glue a tooth fragment back on with household superglue or other adhesives. These products are not appropriate for the injured mouth and may create additional tissue damage.
Persistent pain, swelling, a change in bite or numbness may indicate more extensive trauma than is visible. Arrange assessment promptly even if the tooth is still in place.
What if the tooth is swallowed or cannot be found?
Sometimes a tooth is missing after a fall or collision and nobody knows where it went. It may have fallen onto the ground, become embedded in soft tissue or been swallowed. In some circumstances there is a risk of inhalation into the airway, which is a different medical concern.
If the person has difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, choking, unusual chest symptoms or other severe signs after the tooth disappears, call 000 and tell dispatch the tooth is unaccounted for. Do not conduct repeated blind finger sweeps inside the mouth.
A person who is breathing normally but cannot locate the tooth should still have an appropriate dental or medical assessment. The clinician may need to determine whether it is lodged in tissue or missing for another reason.
Do not delay emergency care by searching a sports field for half an hour while a patient with head injury or significant bleeding remains unattended.
If a tooth is found later, preserve it moist and give the dentist the actual elapsed time. Do not assume it can be safely replanted at home after a long interval without professional evaluation.
Finding urgent dental care in Australia
Healthdirect recommends contacting a dentist urgently and aiming for care within 30 minutes, when possible, after a permanent tooth is knocked out. A dentist or public dental emergency service may be the appropriate destination when the person’s other injuries are minor.
If an emergency dentist is unavailable, go to an appropriate hospital emergency department or use Healthdirect’s service-finding guidance. The correct choice may depend on whether the injury also includes facial trauma, significant bleeding or another medical condition.
South Australia Dental lists its own emergency dental services and directs people seeking after-hours advice to Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. This phone number provides general health advice, not an ambulance. Emergency dental access and public eligibility can vary across states and territories.
For a serious accident or life-threatening injury, Triple Zero 000 remains the emergency number. Tell the dispatcher about the mouth injury and other symptoms, and follow its transport instructions.
When calling a dental clinic, say “permanent tooth knocked out” rather than merely “toothache”. This alerts staff to the time-sensitive nature of the injury. Give the approximate time, whether the tooth has been replanted and how it is being stored.
Keep the tooth with the patient in a secure clean container, where possible. Do not hand it to an unrelated person who may become separated from the patient in the emergency department.
Children, teachers and childcare staff
A young child may fall during recess and have bleeding around the front teeth. School staff should check for serious injuries, follow the school’s emergency procedure and contact parents promptly.
If the tooth is clearly a baby tooth, do not replant it. If it is a permanent tooth and the child is alert and cooperative, trained first aid may include replantation; if uncertain, keep the tooth moist and seek urgent professional assessment.
Teachers should not require a child to walk alone to the nurse’s room while dizzy, bleeding or distressed. An adult can assist with first aid and help arrange appropriate transport.
The school should have the child’s emergency contact details and a practical plan for mouth injuries, including how to store a tooth without letting it dry. A small container and knowledge of the nearest dental service can make a meaningful difference.
Do not give a child unknown pain medicines or place a loose tooth in their mouth when there is a choking risk. Follow the instructions of the emergency service and parent or guardian, as appropriate.
Record the accident’s time, first aid, last known tooth condition and any possible head impact. This may be important for dental care, safeguarding and the school’s ordinary incident records.
Older adults and people with dentures or dental implants
An older person may lose a natural permanent tooth during a fall, but the missing object could also be part of a denture, bridge or implant-supported restoration. The immediate response depends on what has actually been displaced.
A loose denture is not replanted into a socket in the way a natural avulsed tooth might be. Avoid forcing a broken dental appliance into the mouth or repairing it with household glue. Preserve the pieces safely and seek professional advice.
If a fall caused loss of consciousness, significant bleeding, facial trauma or suspected hip injury, medical emergency assessment takes priority over the dental restoration. Give the full injury history to the clinician.
A person with cognitive impairment may struggle to explain whether the missing tooth was natural or artificial. Ask a caregiver about recent dental work and bring the available dental records without delaying immediate care.
Unstable dental appliances may present a choking hazard if left in the mouth. Do not perform risky blind removal; follow appropriate medical or dental first-aid guidance.
After treatment, review the original cause of the fall and any other injuries. A dental problem may be only one consequence of a more serious accident.
What happens after a tooth is replanted?
A dentist will examine the tooth and surrounding structures, assess its position and decide whether stabilisation is needed. They may use a temporary splint to hold the tooth while tissues heal. Follow-up appointments are important because the condition of the root and nerve can change over time.
Healthdirect notes that a replanted permanent tooth has a significant chance of requiring root canal treatment later. This is not a failure of initial first aid; the nerve inside the tooth may have been damaged by the avulsion.
The dentist may also assess tetanus protection or prescribe treatment based on the wound and individual circumstances. Do not assume every patient needs the same medication or a fixed course of antibiotics.
Avoid biting hard foods or playing contact sports with an unstable replanted tooth until the dental professional gives appropriate instructions. Soft foods and careful hygiene may be recommended during early healing.
Attend scheduled reviews even if the tooth feels normal. A tooth can appear secure while developing later root or gum complications that require assessment.
Parents should ask about follow-up for a young permanent tooth, particularly when the root was still developing. Monitoring may influence future dental care.
Why the tooth must stay moist during transport
The root’s surface contains delicate living cells that do not tolerate drying well. A dry tissue, dry pocket or dashboard may damage the cells over the time needed to reach a clinic.
Milk and suitable saline are convenient storage media because they help keep the tooth moist while a person obtains care. The injured person’s saliva can be used in a clean container when appropriate. Do not use a container filled with alcohol or disinfectant.
Do not put the tooth directly on ice or freeze it. Direct cold exposure and inappropriate liquids may damage tissues. An ordinary refrigerator is not a substitute for the urgent dental appointment.
A parent or coach can carry a small sealed container in a first-aid kit, but the key is remembering the type of liquid and the need for speed. A perfect container is less important than making sure the tooth does not dry and the patient reaches professional care promptly.
If no appropriate medium is immediately available, ask the dental service for urgent guidance. Do not spend an extended period shopping for milk while a feasible emergency appointment is available.
Remember that a baby tooth should never be replanted; bringing it in a container may help the dentist identify the injury, but it does not change the no-replant rule.
What not to do after a tooth is knocked out
- Do not touch, rub or scrape a permanent tooth’s root.
- Do not wrap the tooth in dry tissue or leave it in a pocket.
- Do not soak the tooth in tap water.
- Do not use alcohol, bleach, mouthwash or other disinfectants on the root.
- Do not replant a baby tooth.
- Do not force reinsertion when tooth type or orientation is uncertain.
- Do not place a loose tooth in the mouth of an unconscious or confused person.
- Do not delay emergency medical care for serious head or jaw injuries.
- Do not attempt to glue a broken tooth or dental restoration back in place.
- Do not assume an avulsed permanent tooth is unsalvageable after exactly 30 minutes.
- Do not skip professional dental follow-up after successful reinsertion.
A simple dental trauma preparation kit
- Know the nearest emergency dentist or public dental emergency service and its after-hours arrangements.
- Keep a small clean container suitable for carrying a tooth.
- Consider a small long-life milk carton or tooth-preservation medium in a sports first-aid kit.
- Include sterile gauze, a clean dressing and an appropriate cold pack for accompanying injuries.
- Teach adults to handle a tooth by its crown rather than its root.
- Make sure carers know the critical difference between permanent and baby teeth.
- Learn when to call 000 for associated serious injury.
- Encourage appropriate professionally fitted mouthguards for sports with dental injury risk.
- Keep supervision, helmets and other relevant safety measures in place for cycling and play.
- Review the plan with coaches, teachers and families before high-contact activities.
- Do not rely on an online video that recommends inserting every lost tooth.
- Remember the ideal target: urgent dental assessment, preferably within 30 minutes.
Four common scenarios and the better decision
A teenager loses a front tooth during basketball
Check for head injury and serious bleeding. If the tooth is clearly permanent, handle it by the crown, rinse briefly if dirty, replant gently if the teen is alert and cooperative, and go to a dentist immediately. Otherwise keep the tooth in milk or saline.
A six-year-old falls and loses a tooth, but nobody knows if it is permanent
Do not guess and force it back in. Keep it moist in milk or saline and obtain urgent dental assessment. The child may be at an age when both baby and adult teeth are present.
A toddler’s baby tooth is knocked out
Never replant it. Control bleeding safely, assess for other injuries and seek prompt dental review. Take the tooth with you if found, so the dentist can assess the injury.
A cyclist has a tooth knocked out and is also unconscious
Call 000, check breathing and follow emergency instructions. Do not replant or place the tooth in the mouth of an unconscious patient. Preserve it in a suitable container for clinicians while life-threatening injuries are treated.
Frequently asked questions
Can an adult tooth really be saved after it is knocked out?
Often it may be possible if handled quickly and correctly. Australian dental guidance recommends immediate replantation when safe, or moist storage with urgent professional assessment.
How quickly should I see a dentist?
Ideally within 30 minutes, according to Healthdirect and South Australia Dental. Care can still be worthwhile later, so do not abandon treatment because the ideal interval has passed.
Should I put a baby tooth back in?
No. Replanting can harm the permanent tooth developing beneath the gum.
What part of the tooth can I touch?
Hold it by the crown, the smooth white part. Avoid touching or cleaning the root.
Can I wash the tooth under a tap?
A very brief rinse may be used if no better option exists and the tooth is dirty, but milk or saline is preferable in much Australian dental guidance. Never scrub or soak the root in tap water.
What should I store the tooth in?
Milk, suitable saline or the injured person’s saliva in a clean container if reinsertion is not possible. Do not let it dry out.
Should I put the tooth in a child’s mouth during transport?
Avoid that because of swallowing and choking risks. Use a clean container with milk or another appropriate storage medium.
Does reinserting the tooth mean I no longer need a dentist?
No. Immediate professional assessment is necessary, and the tooth may need stabilisation, later root canal treatment and monitoring.
What if the tooth is chipped but not completely out?
Save fragments and seek dental assessment. Do not glue the pieces back into the mouth at home.
The essential decision to remember
Permanent tooth: handle the crown, briefly rinse if dirty, replant gently if safe or keep moist in milk, and see a dentist urgently—ideally within 30 minutes. Baby tooth or uncertain: DO NOT replant; store safely and obtain prompt dental assessment. Serious associated injury: call 000.
Related first-aid guide: What to Do When Someone Has Severe Bleeding in Australia.
Official Australian sources
- Healthdirect Australia — Dental injury and knocked-out teeth
- Better Health Channel, Victoria — Dental injuries: knocked-out, chipped or cracked teeth
- South Australia Dental — Dental trauma and emergency first aid
- Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne — Mouth injuries and dislodged teeth
- Healthdirect Australia — Health advice telephone service
- Australian Government — Triple Zero emergency services
Independent Australian dental first-aid guide. Reviewed 11 November 2026. Dental trauma and associated injuries require individual professional assessment. Follow emergency dispatch, dentists and the patient’s treating clinicians.