Accidental tooth loss by injury
Knowing the Proper First Aid
If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still
attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove
it.
If it is out of its socket completely and unattached,
but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have
the person hold it there, if possible, until a dentist
can attempt re-implantation.
If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle
it as little as possible.Ê
Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it,
or remove any tissue attached to it.
If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area,
rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk
until a dentist is available. If milk is not available,
lukewarm water will suffice.
Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term
success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success
potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation
is still possible after several hours, so the attempt
can still be made even if the tooth has been out for
a long period.Ê
