What To Do When A Tooth Is Knocked Out

Mayo Clinic
Tuesday, 6 January 2004

It can happen playing hockey, baseball or even with a stumble and fall. If a tooth is knocked out of its socket during a mishap, but not broken, it's often possible for a doctor or dentist to reimplant it -- if you act quickly.

The January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these tips to increase the chances of successful reimplantation:

• Don't touch the root. Touching it can damage the ligament.
• Remove any dirt by rinsing the tooth in a container of clean water. Don't rub or scrape the tooth.
• Try to replace the tooth in its socket and bite down gently on gauze or a moistened tea bag to keep it in place. If you can't replace it, put the tooth in milk, your own saliva, warm salt water or between your gum and cheek.
• Immediately head to the dentist or emergency room. Successful reimplantation is more likely if the tooth is in its socket within about 30 minutes.

Even with a successful reimplantation, tissue inside the tooth eventually dies. You'll need a root canal to keep the tooth functioning properly.

For more information, or to contact Mayo Clinic, see their website at: www.mayoclinic.org