Something happened!  What do I do?

Oh No!  I knocked out one of my permanent teeth! Find the tooth.  Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion.  You may rinse the tooth, but DO NOT clean the tooth or handle it unnecessarily.  Try to put it back in the socket (the spot it came from) if you can.  If you can put it back in its socket, hold the tooth in place by biting gently on a clean gauze or cloth.  If you can't put the tooth back in its socket, immediately put the tooth in a cup containing cool milk or water to keep it moist.  Call your dentist and go to see the dentist IMMEDIATELY!  (Call the emergency number if it's after hours.)  The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Note:  The tips on the these pages follow the guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and have been reviewed and approved by a licensed, qualified dentist.  Even so, sometimes opinions may differ on the best thing to do in an emergency situation, so check with your regular dentist for more guidance.  You should always consult your local dentist concerning specific treatment questions and options. Don't have a regular dentist?  If it's a real emergency, you can always go to the nearest hospital.  They'll most likely have a dentist they can call to come in and help. In the United States, call the American Dental Association (312-440-2617; www.ada.org) or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (312-337-2169; www.aapd.org) for an accredited pediatric dentist in your area.

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