A knocked out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Baby teeth do not need to be put back in, but quickly putting a permanent tooth back in its socket is key to preserving the tooth. Every minute a tooth is out of its socket means the less chance that it will survive. A tooth has the best chance of survival if replaced within 30 minutes.

What to Do: Find the knocked out permanent tooth. If you're not sure whether it's a baby tooth or permanent tooth (a baby tooth has a smooth edge), call us. Handle the tooth only by its crown (the top part), never by the root.

Gently rinse (don't scrub) the tooth immediately with saline solution or milk. Tap water should only be used as a last reort as it contains chlorine, which may damage the root. Keep the tooth from drying out until you see the dentist by inserting the tooth back in its socket in the child's mouth if he or she is old enough to keep it in place, or storing the tooth in milk (not water), or by placing the tooth between the child's cheeks and lower gum.

See the child's dentist or go to your local emergency room right away.

Children often lose teeth from playing contact sports such as football or ice hockey, from riding bikes, or from being a motor vehicle crash. Children should wear mouth guards and protective gear when playing a contact sport. They should also always be buckled up in an age-appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seatbelt when in a motor vehicle.