Knocked-out, chipped or broken tooth: first aid steps
Health NZ says to see a dentist as soon as possible after a tooth is knocked out. For an adult tooth it says to hold it by the crown, wash it under water if there is dirt on the root, gently push it back into the socket and bite gently on a cloth. A baby tooth is not put back. Source and date are shown.
Information only, compiled from the named sources. No dentist has reviewed it. The author is an SEO specialist, not a dental professional. It is not dental advice and does not recommend a clinic.
What should I do if an adult tooth is knocked out?
“Many teeth can be replaced after being knocked out. Some will survive very well after this. But the longer the tooth is out of the socket, the less chance it has of surviving in the long term.”
“See your dentist as soon as possible. While you wait to see them:”
“Hold the tooth by its crown, not the roots.”
“Make sure their is no dirt on the root — wash it under water if there is.”
“Gently push the tooth back into its socket.”
“Hold the tooth in place by biting gently on a piece of cloth.”
How do I hold and clean a knocked-out tooth?
“Hold the tooth by its crown, not the roots.”
“Make sure their is no dirt on the root — wash it under water if there is.”
“Do not scrub the root of the tooth, or wrap it in dry tissue.”
How should I store a knocked-out tooth if I cannot put it back?
“If you cannot get the tooth back in its socket, store the tooth in milk until the dentist can replace it. If you do not have milk, store it under the lip. Make sure not to swallow it by mistake.”
What should I do if a baby tooth is knocked out?
“Do not try and put baby teeth back in its socket. This may damage the adult tooth developing under it.”
“Contact your child's dental or oral health therapist or dentist.”
“If your child does not have a dentist, call 0800 825 583 (0800 TALK TEETH) for the nearest community oral health clinic.”
What should I do about a chipped or broken tooth?
“See your dentist as soon as you can. They can give you a protective coating over the broken tooth, or a filling to replace the missing part.”
“If the broken part of your tooth is available, bring it with you to the dentist.”
“It is important to protect broken teeth to prevent infection developing inside the tooth.”
Does ACC help pay for dental injury treatment?
“If you need dental treatment because of an accident, injury, or as a result of medical or dental treatment, ACC will pay. You may still need to pay some of the cost.”
The statement covers treatment needed because of an accident, an injury, or medical or dental treatment. It gives no amounts.
When is a dental injury a hospital emergency?
“If you have a serious injury affecting your mouth, teeth or gums, go to the emergency department at your hospital.”
“If the toothache is bad or the injury appears serious, get to an after-hours dentist.”
Health NZ does not say which injuries count as serious. This guide does not say whether a knocked-out, chipped or broken tooth does. This guide cannot tell which situation a reader is in, so the Health NZ emergency wording above is the only test it gives. For a toothache without an injury, use the toothache guide.
Related: toothache: what to do
Where do I find an emergency dental clinic in Tauranga after a dental injury?
13 of the 32 listed clinics with a single-clinic website state emergency dental care on their own website (data checked 2026-09-30). Clinics on multi-branch group sites are not attributed by branch. A listing here does not show that a clinic is open or able to see a new patient today.
| Area | Listed clinics | State the service | Site not read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tauranga | 24 | 7 | 10 |
| Bethlehem, Greerton and Pyes Pa | 11 | 2 | 4 |
| Mount Maunganui (small sample) | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| Papamoa | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Te Puke (small sample) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Katikati, Omokoroa and Te Puna (small sample) | 4 | 1 | 3 |
A clinic counts as stating the service only when its own single-clinic website says so. A clinic on a group website, or without a website, is counted as unread. Unread is not a statement that the clinic declines the service.
Sources
- First aid for teeth, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, read on 2026-09-30.
- What a dentist does, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, read on 2026-09-30.
- Dentists and emergency dental care, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, read on 2026-09-30.
This guide is information only and is not dental advice. It is compiled from the sources above. No dentist has reviewed it, and it does not recommend a clinic. The author is an SEO specialist, not a dental professional.