Accidental Tooth Loss By Injury

If the tooth is loose, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it.

If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the mouth, it is best to have the person hold it there, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation.

If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible.

Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.

If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, gently rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until a dentist is available. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.

The length of time the tooth is out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.

In an emergency, you can contact Dr. Dougherty at (301) 530-2434.