Willis Family DentistryWaynesboro

Emergency Care

Knocked-Out Tooth

Time matters. The sooner you can get to us, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

Right now

  1. Find the tooth. Always handle it by the crown (the part you chew with) — never the root.
  2. Clean it gently with warm water if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub.
  3. If you can, place the tooth back into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
  4. If you can’t reposition it, place the tooth in a container of milk — not water.
  5. Come straight to our office. Call on the way.

After we see you

If the tooth can’t be saved, we’ll talk through replacement options — a dental implant, a bridge, or another solution — once the immediate care is done.

Call us right now

540-943-9703

Frequently Asked

Common questions

What should I do the moment a tooth is knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white chewing surface), never by the root. Rinse it briefly in cool milk or saline — not tap water if you can avoid it, and do not scrub it. Try to reinsert it into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert it, put it in a cup of milk. Call us right away.
How long do I have to save the tooth?
The first 30 minutes give the best chance; up to about an hour is still good. Each minute the tooth is out of its socket reduces the chance the periodontal ligament can reattach.
What about a knocked-out baby tooth?
Baby teeth are not reimplanted because of the risk of damaging the developing permanent tooth underneath. Still call us — we will check the area for fractures and make sure your child's permanent tooth is undamaged.
What if it is just chipped or loose, not knocked out?
Save any tooth fragments in milk, rinse your mouth gently, apply a cold compress, and call us the same day. A loose or partially displaced adult tooth can often be repositioned and stabilized if seen quickly.

Why patients on Pelham Drive choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro

Dr. Tyler Youn, DDS is calm, unhurried, and trained at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry — and he believes the most important skill in dentistry is listening. Patients across Waynesboro, the 22980 corridor, Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, and Lyndhurst choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro on Pelham Drive because every visit feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We talk about cost up front, accept most major PPO insurance plans, and offer the Virginia Dental Club membership for patients without insurance — so cost is never the reason a smile waits. Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 101 Pelham Dr, Waynesboro 22980. Call 540-943-9703 or request an appointment online.