What to do if a tooth has been knocked out:

If it’s an adult (permanent) tooth:

1. Hold it by the white bit that sticks out of the gum (the crown). Do not touch the root.
2. Quickly rinse it in cold running water for no more than 10 seconds.
3. Try to put it back into the hole in the gum. If it does not go in easily:

• put it in milk
• put it in saliva – by spitting into a container (if it’s your tooth) or having your child spit into a container (if it’s theirs)
• hold it in your cheek until you see the dentist – but do not have younger children do this in case they swallow it

4. If it goes back in, bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place.
If it’s a baby tooth:

• do not put it back in – it could damage the tooth growing underneath

If you do not know if it’s an adult or baby tooth:

• put it in milk or saliva (by having your child spit into a container) and bring it to the dentist