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A completely knocked-out permanent tooth requires quick thinking and immediate action. The chances that the tooth can be saved increases if you pick it up without touching the root, gently clean it off with water, and put it back in its socket facing the correct way. Hold it in place with gentle pressure as you rush to the dental office or emergency room. If you can’t replant it immediately, tuck it between the patient’s cheek and gum, or carry it in a container of cold milk.
For a more traumatic injury such as a tooth that has been moved or loosened, treatment needs to be done within six hours. However, if there is uncontrollable bleeding, go immediately to the emergency room. Fortunately, other dental injuries that happen most frequently are less severe. The most common traumatic dental injuries are chipped or fractured teeth. If a tooth is chipped, try to find any pieces that have come off, as it might be possible to reattach them. Make an appointment with the dentist right away and bring the pieces of chipped teeth with you.