Dental Tips

If permanent teeth are knocked out, there is an excellent chance that they will survive if they are immediately placed back in the tooth socket and dental advice is sought straight away. Every minute the tooth is out of the socket, the less chance it has of surviving.

What to do:

• Handle the tooth by the crown not the root.
  
• Gently rinse the tooth in milk or normal saline solution if it has debris on it.
• Rinse for a few seconds only.
  
• Replace the tooth in its socket, if the person is conscious - make sure it is facing the right way around.
  
• Hold the tooth in place with some foil or gently bite on a handkerchief.
  
• Contact your dentist immediately.
  

If you can't replace the tooth:

• Wrap it in glad wrap or store it in milk or normal saline solution.
  
• Contact your dentist immediately.
  

Do not try and clean the tooth with vigorous scrubbing or cleaning agents.

If it was a baby tooth be thankful that a tooth will grow back in before you know it, but see you dentist anyhow there might be reasons to put in a spacer.