--- title: "Tooth Knocked Out on a Wildwood Trail or Ball Field?" description: "A tooth knocked out near Wildwood, MO? Follow ADA first-aid steps, know when to call 911, and see what to do when our office is closed Friday to Sunday." url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/tooth-knocked-out-on-a-wildwood-trail-or-ball-field publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- # Tooth Knocked Out on a Wildwood Trail or Ball Field? Pick up the adult tooth by the crown, not the root. If you can, place it back in the socket. If not, keep it moist in milk or inside the cheek, then get to a dentist right away. Our office is closed Friday to Sunday, so use an emergency room then. Local: WildwoodPublished October 26, 20263 min read ## What do I do if a tooth is knocked out on a Wildwood trail? If a tooth is knocked out on a Wildwood trail or ball field, keep it moist and get to a dentist fast. ADA MouthHealthy says to keep a knocked-out adult tooth moist at all times. Its next step: “If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root.” If that is not possible, it says to place the tooth “between your cheek and gums, in milk,” or use a tooth preservation product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, it says, get to your dentist’s office right away. This advice is for adult teeth. For a baby tooth, call a dental office and ask what to do. ## Why does this happen around Wildwood? Wildwood has many trails and ball fields, and falls and flying balls happen there. The Missouri Department of Conservation says Rockwoods Reservation “features about 13 miles of foot trails of varying length and difficulty,” and that it is “open sunrise to one-half hour after sunset daily.” Trails like these can have roots, rocks and wet leaves. Ball fields have hard bats and fast balls. A trip over a root or a hit from a ball can knock out a tooth. A [mouth guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mouth-guard) can help protect teeth in sports. Our post on the [NFHS mouth protector rule](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/high-school-football-and-mouth-protectors-the-nfhs-rule) covers football players. ## What are the steps, in order? Follow this list. Stay calm and move fast. 1. Find the tooth. Try not to touch the root. 2. If you can, place it back in the socket without touching the root. 3. If it will not go back, keep it moist. Place it between the cheek and gums, or in milk. ADA MouthHealthy also lists tooth preservation products with the ADA Seal. 4. Call a dentist right away and go. 5. If you cannot reach a dentist, or it is a weekend, go to an emergency room. A knocked-out tooth is called an [avulsed tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/avulsed-tooth-knocked-out-tooth). Putting it back in the socket is called [tooth reimplantation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-reimplantation). Your dentist will decide what to do next and will talk with you about what to expect. ## What should a coach or parent know before a game? Know where the nearest emergency room is and who has a phone. Tell players that a knocked-out tooth is a reason to stop playing and get help, even if it does not hurt much. Teeth that are hit hard can also be cracked or pushed out of place without falling out. Our guide to a [cracked or chipped tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/cracked-chipped-tooth) explains those injuries. Players with braces or other dental work should tell the coach. After any mouth injury, schedule a dental visit even if the tooth stayed in place. Your dentist can check the tooth and the gum around it. ## Who do I call, and when? The right place depends on the day and on how hurt the person is. Situation Where to go Monday to Thursday, tooth knocked out Call Town Center Dental at (636) 273-5866 while the office is open, and tell the team it is a knocked-out tooth Friday, Saturday or Sunday The office is closed. Use an emergency room Trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling around the neck or under the jaw, or severe pain that is getting worse Call 911 or go to an emergency room Head injury, passing out, or heavy bleeding Call 911 or go to an emergency room The ADA says that in any dental emergency it is important “to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.” Cleveland Clinic says to “call 911 or go to your local emergency room” for difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe pain that is getting worse, or swelling around the neck or under the jaw. Our office hours are Monday to Wednesday 8am to 5pm and Thursday 8am to 4pm. We do not offer weekend care. Our post on [weekend dental emergencies in west St. Louis County](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/dental-emergency-on-a-weekend-in-west-st-louis-county) explains the options. ## What should I pack for a trail or game day? A little planning helps. Save your dentist’s phone number in your phone and keep a printed card in the car or hiking bag. Some families also carry a tooth preservation product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which ADA MouthHealthy lists as an option. A kit does not replace the first steps above. Read our [dental emergency guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-emergency-guide) for a full list. ## Next step Learn about our [emergency dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/emergency-dentistry) page. During open hours, call (636) 273-5866 right away. You can also [request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment) for a follow-up visit. ## Frequently asked questions ### What should I do first if an adult tooth is knocked out? ADA MouthHealthy says to keep the tooth moist at all times. If you can, try placing it back in the socket without touching the root. If that is not possible, put it between the cheek and gums or in milk, then get to your dentist's office right away. ### Can I use water to clean the tooth? The ADA steps tell you to avoid touching the root and to keep the tooth moist. They do not describe cleaning. Call the dental office and ask how to handle a dirty tooth, because a quick call can save time. ### How fast do I need to get to a dentist? As fast as you can. ADA MouthHealthy says to get to the dentist right away. Our post on the first 30 minutes explains why time matters for a knocked-out tooth. ### What if it happens on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday? Town Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday. Follow the first-aid steps and go to an emergency room. The ADA says to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible in a dental emergency. ### When is it a 911 emergency? Cleveland Clinic says to call 911 or go to your local emergency room for difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe pain that is getting worse, or swelling around your neck or under your jaw. A head injury or heavy bleeding also needs urgent medical care. ## Terms on this page - [Avulsed tooth (knocked-out tooth)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/avulsed-tooth-knocked-out-tooth) - [Tooth reimplantation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-reimplantation) - [Dental emergency](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-emergency) - [Gums (gingiva)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gums-gingiva) - [Chipped tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/chipped-tooth) - [Mouth guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mouth-guard) - [Braces](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/braces) ## Sources 1. [ADA MouthHealthy: Dental Emergencies](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dental-emergencies) 2. [ADA MouthHealthy: Dental Emergencies](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dental-emergencies) 3. [Missouri Department of Conservation: Rockwoods Reservation](https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/rockwoods-reservation) 4. [Missouri Department of Conservation: Rockwoods Reservation](https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/rockwoods-reservation) 5. [Cleveland Clinic: Ludwig's Angina](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23457-ludwigs-angina) Written by Town Center Dental and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Dental guidance changes, so check the linked page, and ask your dentist about your own care. ## Keep reading - [Dental Emergencies: What Counts, What To Do First, and Who To CallA dental emergency is a mouth problem that needs care right away, such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain that medicine does not ease, or a knocked-out tooth. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing. Otherwise, call your dentist. Town Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-emergency-guide) - [Cracked, Chipped or Broken Tooth: What Repair Fits Each Break?A chip is a piece of enamel that breaks off. A crack is a break that runs through the tooth. Repair depends on size and depth, from polishing or bonding to a crown, root canal or removal. Rinse, save any pieces, use a cold pack, and call your dentist. Pain, swelling or fever needs prompt care.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/cracked-chipped-tooth) - [Dental Emergency on a Weekend in West St. Louis CountyTown Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday and does not offer weekend care. For trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling around the neck or under the jaw, call 911 or go to an emergency room. For other dental problems, use the first-aid steps below and call the office when it opens Monday.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/dental-emergency-on-a-weekend-in-west-st-louis-county) - [High School Football and Mouth Protectors: The NFHS RuleNFHS rules require tooth and mouth protectors in high school football. Starting in 2026, they may not include attachments that serve no purpose in protecting the teeth or mouth, or anything that poses a health risk. Ask your dentist to review your player's mouth guard before the season.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/high-school-football-and-mouth-protectors-the-nfhs-rule) - [Your Child's First Dental Visit: When To Start, What To Expect, and When Teeth Come and GoThe ADA and the AAP say to schedule your child's first dental visit after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. Most visits are short. The dentist checks the teeth and gums, talks about cleaning and habits, and plans future check-ups. Baby teeth start to come in around 6 months.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/childs-first-dental-visit) - [Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do in the First 30 MinutesFind the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently, never scrub it. Try to place it back in the socket and bite on gauze. If you cannot, keep it in milk. Then get to a dentist or an emergency room right away. Time matters, so start within minutes.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/knocked-out-tooth-the-first-30-minutes) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)