Reviewed by Dr Belinda Chen, October 2026
My Child Knocked Out or Damaged a Tooth: What to Do in the First Hour
If your child knocked out a tooth, the first thing to work out is whether it is a baby tooth or an adult tooth. A knocked-out baby tooth should never be put back in, but an adult tooth has the best chance of being saved if it is replanted, or stored in milk, and your child sees a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. Any head injury, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing or uncontrolled bleeding means 000 or an emergency department first.
Tooth injuries are common in childhood. Toddlers learning to walk, kids on scooters, and weekend sport across the Illawarra all send children to Wollongong Dental with damaged teeth. Knowing the steps below can make a real difference.
First: check your child, not just the tooth
Before you think about the tooth, make sure your child is otherwise okay. Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is:
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly, vomiting, drowsiness or confusion
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that will not stop after ten to fifteen minutes of firm pressure
- A suspected broken jaw, such as the teeth no longer meeting properly
- A deep cut to the lip, tongue or face that may need stitches
Once your child is stable, turn your attention to the mouth.
Is it a baby tooth or an adult tooth?
Baby teeth are smaller and whiter. Children usually start losing front baby teeth around age six, so a knocked-out front tooth in a three-year-old is almost certainly a baby tooth, while in a nine-year-old it is probably an adult tooth. If you are not sure, keep the tooth in milk and call us; we can help you work it out over the phone.
Knocked-out baby tooth: do not replant it
A baby tooth is never put back in the socket. Replanting can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Instead:
- Stay calm and reassure your child
- Press a clean cloth or gauze on the gum to stop bleeding
- Keep the tooth if you find it, so we can confirm it came out whole
- Give a cold pack for the lip and soft foods for a day or two
- Book an appointment so we can check the gum and neighbouring teeth and, where clinically indicated, X-ray the adult tooth below
The gap usually remains until the adult tooth comes through, and in most cases this causes no long-term problems.
Knocked-out adult tooth: act within 30 to 60 minutes
An adult tooth that is out of the mouth is a genuine dental emergency, and time matters. The steps are:
- Hold the tooth by the crown, the white part you normally see. Do not touch the root
- If it is dirty, rinse it very briefly in milk or saline, or a few seconds under cold tap water. Do not scrub it or wrap it in tissue
- Try to replant it in the socket the right way round, pressing gently, then have your child bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place
- If you cannot replant it, store it in milk, or in your child’s saliva inside the cheek if they are old enough not to swallow it. Do not store it in water
- Come to the dentist straight away, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes. Call ahead so we are ready
Even if more time has passed, bring the tooth; an assessment is still worthwhile see our guide to toothache emergencies.
Chipped, loosened or pushed teeth
Not every injury knocks a tooth right out. Other common injuries include:
- Chipped or fractured teeth: save any pieces in milk, avoid hard foods, and book promptly. Pain or a pink spot in the break suggests the nerve may be involved read our guide to broken or chipped teeth.
- Loosened teeth: keep the diet soft, avoid wobbling the tooth, and have it checked
- Teeth pushed in, out or sideways: these should be seen the same day, as a displaced adult tooth may need repositioning
We usually recommend follow-up visits after any tooth injury, because damage to the nerve or root can show up weeks or months later.
When should you see a dentist?
For a knocked-out adult tooth or a displaced tooth, call immediately. For chips, loose teeth, or a knocked-out baby tooth where your child is otherwise well, call the same day and we will advise how quickly they need to be seen. If in doubt, phone our Wollongong practice on Crown Street and describe what happened.
For children who play rugby league, netball, hockey or martial arts, a properly fitted mouthguard may reduce the risk of tooth injury see our guide to custom mouthguards. Families across Wollongong, Figtree and Fairy Meadow ask us about this every winter season.
Frequently asked questions
Can a knocked-out baby tooth be put back in?
No. Replanting a baby tooth can harm the adult tooth forming underneath. Control the bleeding, comfort your child and book a check-up so we can examine the area.
How long can a knocked-out tooth survive out of the mouth?
An adult tooth has the best chance if it is replanted or placed in milk within about 30 to 60 minutes. The longer it is dry, the lower the chance it can be saved, but bring it anyway.
Should I store a knocked-out tooth in water?
No. Water can damage the cells on the root surface. Milk, saline, or the child’s own saliva are better options until you reach the dentist.
Will my child’s tooth go grey after a knock?
It can. A darkening tooth after injury may mean the nerve has been affected and should be assessed, though not every discoloured tooth needs treatment.
Book an appointment
If your child has knocked out, chipped or loosened a tooth, call us straight away. Book online or call our Wollongong practice, and let the team know it is a child’s injury so we can see them as quickly as possible. Book Online Today!