What to Do if Your Tooth Falls Out

Emergency Dental Care in Rock Hill, SC

A knocked-out tooth can be scary—but don’t panic. Whether it happens from a fall, a sports injury, or even biting into something too hard, a missing tooth is a true dental emergency. At Carolina Emergency Dental, we’re here to help you act fast and get relief 7 days a week.

Below, we’ll walk you through what to do if your tooth falls out and how emergency dentists like us in Rock Hill can save your smile—often the very same day.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Act Quickly

Timing matters. If your adult tooth gets knocked out (also known as an avulsed tooth), the best chance of saving it is to seek treatment within 30–60 minutes. Staying calm can help you focus on the next important steps.

Step 2: Handle the Tooth Carefully

Pick up the tooth by the crown (top part)—not the root. Touching the root can damage the tiny fibers that help it reattach to the bone. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water, but do not scrub it or use soap.

Step 3: Try to Reinsert the Tooth

If you feel comfortable, try placing the tooth back in its socket. Gently push it in with your fingers and bite down softly on gauze or a clean cloth to hold it in place. If you can’t reinsert it:

• Place the tooth in a small container of milk or saliva.
  
• You can also use an over-the-counter tooth preservation kit, if available.
  
• Avoid storing it in water, which can damage the tooth cells.
  

Step 4: Get to an Emergency Dentist Immediately

Don’t wait. Call our office or walk in—Carolina Emergency Dental is open 7 days a week with extended hours, specifically for urgent situations like this. The sooner we see you, the higher the chance we can save your tooth.

If reimplantation isn’t possible, we’ll talk through next steps, such as same-day extractions, bridges, or replacement options to restore your smile.

What About Baby Teeth?

If a child knocks out a baby tooth, do not try to reinsert it. Call us right away and bring the tooth with you. We’ll check for damage to surrounding teeth and make sure everything is healing properly.

Can a Knocked-Out Tooth Be Saved?

Yes—often it can! But only with prompt care. Teeth that are reimplanted within an hour have the best chance of healing successfully. Even if the tooth can’t be saved, immediate care helps prevent infection, pain, and damage to surrounding structures.

Why Choose Carolina Emergency Dental?

We’re not your average dental office. Our practice was built around helping people when they need it most—whether you chipped a filling or completely lost a tooth.

✔️ Open 7 Days a Week
✔️ Same-Day Appointments
✔️ Experienced with Surgical & Emergency Care
✔️ Simple, Straightforward Pricing (Fee for Service)

We’re here for patients who don’t have time to wait weeks for care or who don’t have a regular dentist yet. We also accept South Carolina Medicaid and can assist with filing insurance claims.

Don’t Wait—Call or Walk In Today

A missing tooth doesn’t have to mean a missing smile. If your tooth has fallen out, contact Carolina Emergency Dental in Rock Hill as soon as possible. We’ll do everything we can to treat the problem quickly, comfortably, and affordably.

Find us at 2685 Celanese Road, Suite 116
Call (803) 970-6080
Open 7 days a week, including weekends