Knocked out tooth
Usually, there are ways to save the knocked out tooth before consulting a dentist. Hold the teeth by the white bit part above the gum (the crown), but don’t touch the root. Quickly clean it by rinsing it in cold running water, not more than 10 seconds. Now, try and put it back into its former place, but if it doesn’t fit easily:
- Put the tooth in milk
- Put the tooth in saliva (if the tooth is yours, spit into a container, or if it’s your baby’s, make them spit into a container to store the tooth)
- Hold it in your check until you visit a dentist (don’t allow young children to hold their tooth in their check, they might swallow)
Or, if the tooth goes back in its place perfectly, gently bite down on a clean cloth to hold that tooth in place. Consult a dentist as soon as possible.
Baby tooth
If the baby’s tooth gets knocked out, don’t put it back since it can damage the tooth growing underneath.
If you are unaware of whether it’s a baby or adult tooth, directly place it in a container with either milk or saliva and bring it to the teeth.
What will a dentist do?
If you are able to put the tooth back in, the dentist will check whether it’s in the correct place. If you bring the tooth in a milk or saliva container, they will clean it and put it back in the right place with the help of splinting. You are probably required to go back in a couple of weeks to remove the splint. If they are able to place the tooth right back in, the dentist will suggest a false tooth.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022