Millions of teeth are knocked out every year in children and adults do to sporting accident and other such accidents. However with proper emergency action a knocked out tooth can be successfully replanted and last for years.   Here are some steps to take if you should have such an accident and knock out a tooth.

1) Make sure to pick up the tooth on the chewing surface (do not touch the root of the tooth)

2) If the tooth is dirty gently rinse tooth with water. Remember not to handle the tooth root.  Also do not use soap or chemicals, scrub the tooth, try to dry the tooth and do not wrap it in a tissue or cloth.

3) If possible reposition the tooth back in the mouth socket.  The sooner the tooth is replaced the greater the likelihood it will survive. You can hold the tooth in place with your fingers, tongue or by gently biting down on it.

4) Keep the tooth moist at all times.  The tooth much not be left outside the mouth to dry. If you can not replace the tooth in the socket you can put keep it in your mouth next to your cheek or the tooth in question is of a young child you may want to put it in a glass of milk.

5) See and Endodontist or the nearest available dentist.  Time is a large factor seeing a dentist right away is very important. Ideally you want to bring the tooth to an endodontist or to the nearest available dentist with in the first 30 minutes. However, it is possible to save the tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.