Dental avulsion: displacement of a tooth from its bone socket, with the root still intact
- Do not let the tooth hang by the root. Do not brush the tooth. Do not clean or sterilize the tooth.
- If there is any debris, gently rinse the tooth under cold water.
- If possible, reinsert the tooth in its bone socket. Have the person gently bite down on a clean cloth or tissue paper. Only follow this procedure if the person is alert and conscious.
- If you cannot reinsert the tooth into its bone socket:
- Best option: Put the tooth in a solution, such as Hanks’s Balanced Saline Solution.
- Second best option: Put the tooth in cold milk.
- Third best option: Put the tooth in a piece of gauze that has been soaked into a saline solution.
- Fourth best option: Put the tooth under the person’s tongue. ONLY follow this procedure if the person is alert and conscious.
- Fifth best option: Put the tooth in a cup of water.
- Act quickly because each minute counts. Successfully reimplanting a knocked-out tooth depends on how quickly you follow the procedure within 30 minutes of the accident occurring. GO TO A DENTIST IMMEDIATELY.
Approved by Dr Lechner
Dr. François Lechner founded the Prisma Dentistes in TMR more than 30 years ago. Over the course of his practice, he has developed his skills in general and family dentistry and is proud to offer a complete service to his patients. He is also interested in neuromuscular dentistry and the management of sleep disorders.