Knockouts

With more adults playing sport and kids imitating sports heroes, dental accidents are on the rise.

If you act immediately, a knocked out tooth can be replanted.

What do I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Follow these steps if a tooth is knocked out:

• Stay calm and find the tooth.
• Only touch the crown, not the root.
• If the tooth is clean, place back in its socket. Then go IMMEDIATELY to the dentist.
• If the tooth is dirty, wash in sterile saline, milk or have patient suck clean. Don't use water.
• If unable to replant, wrap tooth in plastic or store in milk or sterile saline (not water) and go IMMEDIATELY to the dentist.

If a baby tooth is knocked out completely, do not put it back. It is recommended that you seek professional dental advice immediately.

What if a tooth is broken or chipped?

See your dentist as soon as possible, even if it doesn't hurt. Save any pieces of the broken tooth, fragments sometimes can be bonded back onto the injured tooth.

Source: Australian Dental Association Inc. Brochure