what to do in an emergency

You can save permanent teeth that are knocked out- but you need to act fast. Do...

• Hold the tooth by the crown - not the root.
• Rinse it gently (for a few seconds) in milk or a normal saline solution if it has debris on it.
• If the patient is conscious, replace the tooth in its socket, ensuring it faces the right way.
• Hold the tooth in place with foil or by having the patient gently bite on a handkerchief.
• Contact your dentist immediately.
• If you cannot put the tooth in its socket, store it in milk or normal saline solution or wrap it in glad wrap then contact your dentist immediately.

Do not...

• Clean the tooth with vigorous scrubbing or cleaning agents.
• Put a milk tooth in its socket as this could cause complications for permanent teeth.