Tooth Injury

To save the tooth, it must be put back in the socket (re-implanted) as soon as possible. Two hours is the limit for survival of the tooth. Right away is best.

Here are the steps for putting the tooth back in the socket:

• Step 1: Rinse off the tooth with saliva or water. Do not scrub the tooth.
• Step 2: Place it in the socket facing the correct way. Press down on the tooth with your thumb until the top of the tooth is level with the adjacent tooth.
• Step 3: Lastly, bite down on a wad of cloth to stabilize the tooth until you can be seen by a dentist. If your dentist is not immediately available, then go to the emergency department (ER).

If the tooth cannot be put back in its socket: Place the tooth in either milk or saliva to keep it from drying out and go right away to the dentist. Again, If your dentist is not immediately available, then go to the ER.

Special Notes:

• Even if you get the tooth back in the socket right away, only time will tell whether the tooth will live. It may not.
• Baby teeth cannot be re-implanted.