Unfortunately, knocked-out teeth are fairly common and affect an estimated 5 million people per year. While it’s certainly a traumatic experience, you can greatly improve the outcome based on how you handle the situation. The first step is calling an emergency dentist to make the first available appointment. By getting immediate care (preferably within an hour), you’ll have the best chance of saving your tooth. Also, you may have heard that you should put the tooth in a glass of milk. But does this actually help and, if so, how does it work? And what if you don’t have any milk on hand? Keep reading for the answers to these questions as well as some additional first-aid tips for a knocked-out tooth.
Is It Helpful To Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Milk?
Yes, but there’s a catch. The best option is actually putting the tooth back in its socket (although this should only be attempted in adults, not kids). If that’s not an option for any reason, your next best bet is putting the tooth in a glass of milk.
Why? The main objective it keeping the tooth “alive” until it can be re-implanted. Milk contains several substances that the cells on the root need to survive, including sugars, antibacterial agents, and proteins that maintain the right balance of acids.
If you don’t have milk on hand, hold the tooth in between your cheek and gums so that your saliva can keep it moist. This is a far better choice than tap water, which should only be used as an absolute last resort because it can cause the root cells to swell and burst, making the tooth harder to save.
General First-Aid Tips For Knocked-Out Teeth
After you’ve contacted an emergency dentist to let them know you need the first available appointment (preferably within an hour to increase the chance of saving the tooth), use these general first-aid tips:
- You want to protect the delicate cells on the root, so only handle the tooth by the crown (the white part of the tooth you see above the gumline). If possible, give it a quick rinse with water, being careful not to drop it. Don’t wipe it off or scrub it.
- Again, the tooth will do best surrounded by the blood vessels and other tissues in the socket, so try to re-implant it and hold it in place with your finger or by biting down gently. Otherwise, put it in a glass of milk or hold it in your cheek pouch.
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean, damp cloth to control any bleeding.
Knocking out a tooth is a scary experience. But by calling a dentist right away and using the right first-aid tips, you can preserve your oral health for many years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Douglas Gordon has been a general and emergency dentist for nearly 40 years. With convenient morning, evening, and Saturday appointments, he and his team are always available when their patients need them most. If you or a loved one has knocked out a tooth or have any questions, he can be contacted via his website.