What to do when you knock out an adult tooth.
Follow the steps below for the best chances of preserving your smile!
Step 1: Find that tooth!
Chances are that you noticed your tooth falling out right away, so take the time to do a thorough search of the area. Enlist other people in your search! Friends, strangers, whatever it takes!
Step 2: Pick up the tooth
Step 3: Clean the tooth
If the root of the tooth looks dirty, rinse it off using Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution. It’s proven to be the best, hands down! If you don’t have any, alternatives are any saline solution or milk (low-fat milk is best, but any milk will do). Do NOT use water, as this can damage the tooth.
Step 4: Replace the tooth
Step 5: Keep the tooth moist
It’s extremely important to do this! If you are having a hard time getting the tooth to stay in its socket, you can keep it soaking in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution, sterile saline solution, or milk (see Step 3).
Step 6: Act quickly
Remember that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! The chances of saving your tooth are much greater if you can get the tooth back in the socket within ONE hour of it being avulsed.
Step 7: Call your dentist right away
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