What to do if a tooth is knocked out?

This is every parent’s nightmare.

Here’s what to do

If the child is under 6 do not try to put back a baby tooth (first tooth) in doing so you could damage the second tooth still in the gum

Second teeth-Permanent teeth

Locate tooth if you feel confident try to put back in the socket this has the best longterm prognosis. Make sure tooth is right way round, flat side towards the lips. Do not rinse the tooth first but remove large pieces of debris with a tissue or ideally sterile gauze.

Insert into socket with gentle pressure. Don’t worry it will start bleeding again. Ask the person to hold in place and ring the dental practice and explain that you need to be seen urgently. The dentist will then splint the tooth in place while the area heals and prescribe antibiotics if necessary.

If you cannot place back place the tooth ideally in saliva or failing that milk and take the tooth and the patient to the dentists immediately.

Teeth replaced within about 1 hour have a good prognosis.

adv2