Dental Emergencies

What should I do about a knocked-out (avulsed) tooth?

Handle the tooth by the crown (top), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it briefly with water — do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue. If possible, try placing it back in the socket, or store it in milk or your own saliva to keep it moist. See a dentist immediately; the sooner an avulsed tooth is re-implanted, the better the chance of saving it. This applies to permanent (adult) teeth — a knocked-out baby tooth should not be re-implanted, but you should still contact a dentist.