← All explanationsTooth avulsion

A tooth is completely knocked out – what matters now?

Tooth avulsion means a tooth has been completely knocked out of its socket in an accident. A permanent tooth needs immediate help: hold the crown only, do not scrub the root and do not let it dry. Knocked-out baby teeth must not be put back.

For dental trainees & teams

First aid after a dental injury

Act now. Protect the tooth.

Arrange immediate dental care. Do not wait to watch the video or for a routine appointment booked online.

For unconsciousness, breathing difficulty or serious associated injuries: call 112 in Germany.

If the whole tooth has been knocked out

Identify the tooth; hold the crown
Never replant baby teeth. Hold a permanent tooth only by its visible crown. Do not scrub, brush or disinfect the root. If dirty, rinse briefly and gently with milk or saline.
Replant a permanent tooth immediately if possible
Only if the tooth type is certain, the person is alert and cooperative, and it can be done safely: gently place it back in its socket facing the correct way, without force. Then bite gently on clean gauze. Immediate dental care is still necessary.
Otherwise keep it moist immediately
If unsure or unable to replant it, use an available tooth-rescue container with storage medium, or cold milk as an alternative. Never store it dry. Do not delay care searching for a container. Never store a tooth in a child’s mouth: it could be swallowed or inhaled.

Arrange help by telephone now

Call the practice 0221 669 401 80 Find the emergency dental service

During our opening hours. If nobody is available or the practice is closed, immediately contact an emergency dental service or dental hospital.

Call the listed practice before travelling. Take the tooth or fragment with you.

First aid based on IADT/ASD, 2024. The treating team provides individual care. Clinical source.

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Baby tooth or permanent tooth?

A completely knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Do not replant baby teeth. Call 112 first for unconsciousness, breathing problems or other serious injuries.

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Keep the root moist

Hold only the crown. A permanent tooth may be gently replanted immediately in an alert, cooperative person. If unsure, use tooth-rescue medium or milk; never store it dry.

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Get help immediately

Contact an emergency dentist or dental hospital immediately and take the tooth. Do not wait for a routine appointment. A replanted tooth also needs immediate professional care.

Watch the short film Download infographic (German)

At a glance

What matters immediately?

Identify the tooth type, hold the crown and keep the root moist.

Where should the tooth go?

Replant a permanent tooth immediately where appropriate; otherwise transport it in rescue medium or milk.

Where should the injured person go?

Immediately to an emergency dentist or dental hospital; serious associated injury: 112 in Germany.

Knowledge in motion

Explained in 36 seconds.

Three steps. Straight to the point.
Explanations are also shown on screen.

Short film (German): A tooth is completely knocked out – what matters now?

Open the short film directly: Landscape film (MP4, German) · Portrait film (MP4, German)

Silent film in German · English explanations in the three views above

Often confused

Avulsion or luxation?

With avulsion the whole tooth is outside the socket. With luxation it is loosened or displaced but remains in the mouth. Both require prompt professional assessment.

Quick answers

What if the tooth is dirty?

Hold the crown and rinse briefly and gently with milk or saline. Do not rub, disinfect or brush the root. Further first aid depends on being certain it is a permanent tooth.

What if replanting is not possible?

Place the tooth immediately in an available tooth-rescue container with storage medium. Milk is a temporary option if none is available. Do not delay care while searching for a container. Never store a tooth in a child’s mouth because it could be swallowed or inhaled.

Is the tooth lost if time has passed?

Do not give up on it yourself. Keep it moist and seek immediate care. Time, storage, root development and other injuries affect the options; the accident still needs assessment.

At the practice

For your consultation

A question to discuss with Dr. med. dent. Niusha Barahmand Pour:

What follow-up will the injured tooth need after immediate emergency treatment?

Symptoms, examination findings and personal wishes form the basis of individual treatment planning.

A tooth knocked out? Arrange immediate telephone advice and emergency dental care now.

Call immediately after a dental injuryFor acute symptoms, call for prompt assessment

Meet Dr. med. dent. Niusha Barahmand Pour

Learning for dental trainees & teamsUnderstand clinical terms and build your knowledge

Build on the simple explanation with clinical terms, key distinctions and a knowledge question.

Avulsion: Complete displacement of a tooth out of its socket by trauma.
Replantation: Replacing a knocked-out permanent tooth in its socket.
Periodontal ligament: Fibrous tissue between root and bone; its cells should not be allowed to dry out.

Know the difference

First aid differs fundamentally for baby and permanent teeth. If the tooth type is uncertain, seek immediate professional advice by telephone.

Knowledge questionWhat applies to a knocked-out baby tooth?

This question supports learning. It does not assess personal symptoms.

Do not replant it; the child still needs examination.
Always replant it immediately.
Scrub the root before replacing it.

Show answer and explanation

Do not replant it; the child still needs examination.

Replantation of baby teeth is not recommended. Examination and imaging when needed assess injuries and establish where missing teeth have gone.

Sources for further learning

Sources and context

Editorial research: 23 October 2026. This explanation covers general principles and does not replace a personal examination. Suitable treatment is discussed following individual assessment.