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What Do You Do If You Lose a Tooth?

While you may fondly remember looking forward to losing baby teeth as a child, excited by the promise of a visit from the tooth fairy, losing an adult tooth is decidedly less a cause for celebration. If you lose a tooth that you intended to keep until death, you may suffer alarm. While this distress is natural, it is vital that you remain calm and react promptly, as rapid and appropriate action can improve your chances of saving this tooth.

  1. Collect and Clean the Tooth

    • Pick up the tooth by the crown. Do not touch the root of the tooth at all, as doing so can damage the tooth root irreparably. Rinse the tooth. Use lukewarm water and quickly remove any debris from the tooth. Do not use soap or alcohol on the tooth and, as you wash, continue to avoid contact with the tooth's root.

    Put It Back

    • Set the tooth back in its socket. As long as the individual who lost the tooth is awake, the best bet is to put the tooth back in place as doing so helps retain the root openings. Take care to put the tooth back in the right direction as you ease it back into its socket.

    Toting the Tooth

    • Store the tooth in milk if you cannot place it back in its socket. The calcium in milk helps keep the root alive, improving chances that a dentist can reimplant the tooth. Carry the tooth in the mouth if no milk is available. Keeping the tooth covered in saliva is the second best option. Place the tooth under the tongue of the individual who lost it or between his lower jaw and lip to keep it moist.

    Dentist Visit

    • Head to the dentist immediately. The sooner you make it to the dentist, the better your chances of keeping the tooth. Contact your regular dentist if the tooth loss occurs during office hours or the emergency room if it happens during off hours.

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