More than 5 million teeth are “avulsed,” or knocked out, from both adults and children each year. If you or your child plays sports with bodily contact (even accidental), the odds that you’ll lose a tooth through force are high. Make sure you know how to save a knocked-out tooth, and you have a chance to restore your smile.

A tooth can be knocked out anywhere and anytime, so brush up on what to do if you or someone close to you has a tooth knocked out! There are a few basic things to remember. Not only can they save money when a tooth is knocked out, they can also potentially help you keep the tooth! For example, did you know that you can save a knocked-out by putting a broken tooth in milk?

Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth with Milk | Act Fast

The most critical factor to saving and preserving a tooth for successful reimplantation is time. In other words, get to the dentist or an emergency room as quickly as possible. The possibility of reimplantation diminishes rapidly after 30 minutes. If you can’t get to help that fast, the second-best thing that you can do is properly store the tooth.

First and foremost, keep it moist by whatever means possible. If at all possible, put the tooth back in the socket. Your next best option is to store your tooth in milk. Use a small container or bag. 

So, why do we recommend using milk to save a knocked-out tooth? When the cells from the tooth’s root surface come into contact with water, they tend to swell up. They can even burst. Milk provides the necessary proteins needed to maintain the proper pH balance, anti-bacterial properties, and sugars that keep these root cells growing. Storing your tooth in milk improves the chances of successful reimplantation at your dentist. 

If milk isn’t available, saliva, or storing the tooth inside your mouth are the next best options. Water is not the best or most effective option for preserving your tooth, but if it’s all that’s available, it’s better than holding it in your hand. 

Time and location when you’re storing an avulsed tooth are most important to a successful reimplantation. Here are some other considerations that will help improve the chances of success:

1. Hold the tooth by the crown — Always grab and hold the tooth by the crown, or the chewing surface. Do not touch the root of the tooth. This can help keep the roots of the tooth cleaner if it can be saved. Don’t wrap the tooth in a piece of cloth or napkin. This will dry out the tooth, and it will not be viable to put back in the mouth.
2. Rinse off the tooth — This step may or may not be possible depending on where you are when the tooth is knocked out. If you do have access to clean water, a gentle rinse to remove dirt and debris is advised. Remember not to use any soap or cleaning products, and never scrub the tooth. A gentle stream of water will do the trick.

Knocked-out teeth can happen anywhere, anytime. Take quick action and remember these basic steps. They will go a long way towards improving your chances of keeping the avulsed tooth clean, safe, and able to be re-implanted. This saves hassle and expense down the road.

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