What To Do With A Knocked-Out Tooth

When a tooth is severed from its socket, the ligament attached is destroyed. In order to properly survive, the tooth needs all the tiny nerve fibers to remain attached. First, carefully pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root. Gently wipe any excess dirt from the tooth and either set it back into the socket or hold it between your cheek and gums in your mouth as you are heading for emergency help, hopefully within 15 to 30 minutes. Bathing the tooth in your own saliva will help keep it alive.

If the tooth cannot be placed in the person's mouth, the next best thing to place it in cold, whole milk. You can also obtain a special pH-balanced, cell-cultured solution that will keep the tooth alive for a longer period of time. Many dentists have this option in their dental practices in order to save a tooth that has been knocked out.

A tooth lost due to an accident has a 90 percent chance of being saved if proper procedure is followed, but for one lost due to periodontal disease, none of these measures will help. The lesson here is to make sure you see your dentist for regular checkups, and if you show signs of gum disease, make sure to seek treatment.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.