Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Baby teeth are usually not put back but the child should be seen by the dentist to check if any roots remain or other teeth have been injured.

Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap -- use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. (Call the emergency number if it's after hours.) The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

If the tooth is a permanent tooth, time is extremely crucial. Immediately stick the tooth back in the socket. Don't worry about getting it in straight or having it turned backwards, just get it in the socket and immediately call your dentist. If you are uncomfortable placing the tooth in the socket, put it in a glass of milk and get your child to the dentist as quickly as possible. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do not put it in the socket because damage to the permanent tooth can occur.

If your child's permanent tooth is knocked out, the tooth should be held by the crown and not the roots and gently rinsed with either contact lense solution, milk or water (no scrubbing.) The tooth should be replaced in the socket as quickly as possible. If you can not place the tooth back in its socket, it can be transported to the dentist in the liquid that you cleaned it in. Ideally, the child should be seen within 30 minutes by a dentist.

Place the tooth in cool milk or if the child is old enough, under the child's tongue. Be real careful not to swallow the tooth and get to the dentist within 30 minutes so it can be reimplanted.

The best thing to do is to gently place the tooth back in position if it will go, then call us immediately. Time can play a big factor in whether a tooth can be saved or not.