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Accidental tooth loss
by injury
Knowing the Proper First Aid
If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but
is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it.
If it is out of its socket completely and unattached,
but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have the person hold
it there, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation.
If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little
as possible.
Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub
it, or remove any tissue attached to it.
If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled
area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until
a dentist is available. If milk is not available, lukewarm water
will suffice.
Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term
success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential
begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after
several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth
has been out for a long period.
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