Injuries can happen in any sport—even the ones that aren’t full-contact. Whether it’s soccer, basketball, or even gym class, your student-athlete could unexpectedly experience a dental emergency like a knocked-out tooth. For many kids and teens, especially those in middle or high school, losing a front tooth can be both painful and emotionally upsetting.
So what should you do if this happens? Will their smile be permanently affected? At Beach Dental, Dr. Gersten and Dr. Parli specialize in emergency dental care and restorative dentistry, and we’re here to walk you through exactly what to do in this situation.
Stay Calm—There’s a Good Chance the Tooth Can Be Saved
While it’s understandably shocking to see a tooth come completely out, it doesn’t always mean the tooth is lost for good. If you act quickly—ideally within the first hour—you may be able to save the natural tooth.
This is one of the most urgent types of pediatric dental emergencies, and immediate care is crucial.
Step-by-Step: How to Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth
- Find the tooth and handle it carefully. Pick it up by the crown (the white, visible part), not the root.
- Rinse gently with water. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it lightly—don’t scrub or use soap. Avoid removing any tissue attached to the root.
- Try to reinsert the tooth. If your child can tolerate it, gently place the tooth back into the socket.
- Keep it moist. If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in a container of milk or have your child hold it between their cheek and gums. This helps preserve the tooth until you can get to an emergency dentist.
What to Expect at Beach Dental
At Beach Dental, Dr. Gersten and Dr. Parli are experienced in handling dental emergencies of all kinds. When you arrive with your child and their tooth within the first hour, we’ll act fast to preserve their smile.
We’ll begin with a careful exam to check for any other trauma or underlying damage. If the tooth hasn’t already been reinserted, we’ll place it back into the socket and ask your child to bite gently on soft gauze.
To stabilize the tooth, a small dental splint may be applied. This helps the tooth stay in place while the bone and tissue naturally reattach—part of what we call restorative dental care.
What If It’s Been More Than an Hour?
If more than 60 minutes have passed, the chances of successfully re-implanting the tooth drop, but there are still excellent solutions available.
Dr. Gersten and Dr. Parli offer advanced tooth replacement options like custom dental bridges, cosmetic bonding, or dental implants for patients 18 and older. These restorations are designed to look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth—even for front teeth that are most visible when smiling.
Thanks to modern cosmetic and restorative dentistry, your child can still enjoy a complete, confident smile—even after a traumatic injury.
We’re Here When You Need an Emergency Dentist
A knocked-out tooth can feel like a big deal, especially for a young athlete. But with fast action and the right care, you can often restore your child’s smile completely.
At Beach Dental, Dr. Gersten and Dr. Parli are not only your trusted family dentists—they’re here for you when you need an emergency dentist you can rely on. We offer comprehensive family, cosmetic, and restorative dental care in a warm, welcoming environment.
Need Help After a Dental Injury?
If your child experiences a dental emergency or sports-related injury, call Beach Dental right away. We’re proud to serve families in the Hamptons with expert, compassionate dental care.
About the Practice
The team members at Beach Dental are proud to serve patients from various nearby areas, including West Hampton, East Moriches, Manorville, and East Quogue. Dr. Jason Parli and Dr. Alexis Gersten proudly provide services that meet individual needs, whether simple or complex. In addition to Invisalign, dental implants, and cosmetic procedures, we can help with dental emergency care, so give our office a call at 631-325-0731 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule an appointment today!