An avulsed permanent tooth is one of the few real emergency situations in dentistry. In addition to increasing the public awareness by mass media campaigns, healthcare professional, parents and teachers should receive information on how to proceed following these severe unexpected injuries. Also, instructions may be given by telephone to parents at the emergency site.
- If a tooth is avulsed, make sure it is a permanent tooth (primary teeth should not be replanted).
- Keep the patient calm. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part).
- Avoid touching the root. If the tooth is dirty, wash it briefly (10 seconds) under cold running water and reposition it.
- Try to encourage the patient / parent to replant the tooth.
- Bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position.If this is not possible, place the tooth in a suitable storage medium, e.g. a glass of milk or a special storage media for avulsed teeth if available (e.g. Hanks balanced storage medium or saline).
- The tooth can also be transported in the mouth, keeping it between the molars and the inside of the cheek.
- If the patient is very young, he/she could swallow the tooth- therefore it is advisable to get the patient to spit in a container and place the tooth in it.
Seek emergency dental treatment immediately.