Knocked-Out Tooth in Naperville, IL
A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if it is put back or kept moist and a dentist sees you within about an hour. Call (630) 716-9399 right away to be connected with a local dental office and ask how soon you can be seen.
Office hours
- Monday
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- Tuesday
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- Wednesday
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- Friday
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday
- Emergency only
- Sunday
- Emergency only
What to Do Right Now
These general first aid steps are based on the American Dental Association’s guidance on dental emergencies.
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the chewing part), not the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse the root briefly with water. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue.
- If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite down on clean gauze to hold it in place.
- If you cannot, keep it moist: in a small container of milk, between your cheek and gum (adults only), or in a tooth preservation product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
- Call right away and get to a dentist within about an hour.
If the tooth broke instead of coming out whole, follow the steps for a broken or cracked tooth.
If It Is a Baby Tooth
Do not put a baby tooth back in the socket. Find it, keep it, and call a dentist, because the injury can affect the adult tooth underneath.
What Not to Do
- Do not hold the tooth by the root.
- Do not scrub the tooth.
- Do not let the tooth dry out.
- Do not store it in plain water if milk is available.
When to Go to the ER Instead
If the dental office is closed, the American Dental Association advises going to your local emergency room, because the tooth needs care within about an hour. If there is a head injury or loss of consciousness, go to the ER first. Bring the tooth with you, kept moist, and also go to the ER for any of the signs below.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- swelling that is spreading toward your eye, neck, or throat
- bleeding that does not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure
- a possible broken jaw
- a head injury
Is a Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?
A knocked-out adult tooth is always a dental emergency, and time matters most. The sooner the tooth is back in place or kept moist, and the sooner a dentist sees you, the better its chance.
What to Expect at the Dentist
The dentist checks whether the tooth can be put back and may splint it to the neighboring teeth while it heals. If it cannot be saved, replacement options may be discussed later. The dentist decides treatment and explains any follow-up visits.
Call and Office Hours
Call right away during the office hours shown at the top of this page. Say that a tooth has been knocked out, when it happened, and how you are keeping it. The dental office decides scheduling, treatment, and pricing.
Knocked-Out Tooth Questions
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Often, if it goes back in or stays moist and you see a dentist within about an hour; the longer it is out and dry, the lower the chance. Keep it moist and call right away.
Should I put a knocked-out tooth in water?
Milk is better, because water can damage the cells on the root, so use water only if nothing else is available. For an adult, keeping the tooth between the cheek and gum also keeps it moist.
Is EmergencyDentistNaperville.com a dental office?
No. It is a referral service that connects your call to a local Naperville dental office.
EmergencyDentistNaperville.com is a referral service operated by Zestacor Digital Marketing, not a dental office. We do not provide dental care, diagnosis, or treatment. Calls are connected to a local dental office in Naperville, which decides appointment availability, treatment, and pricing. Read the full Disclosure.