If you have a tooth that breaks off or gets knocked out, such as while playing your favourite sport over the weekend, you need to act fast. It is possible to save the tooth, but only if you follow the right steps and can get into the dentist's office right away. Here are some things to do right after your tooth is knocked out.

Call the Dentist First

The very first thing you should do is call your dentist to see if they can see you right away. If it is the evening or a weekend, call their emergency number or text your dentist if you have this number available. Many dental offices will have a 24-hour call answering service that can call the dentist for you if you are having a dental emergency. Let them know your tooth was recently knocked out and you want to get in right away.

Hold the Tooth Gently

If you have not done so already, you need to rinse the tooth, but be very careful about how you hold it. If you hold it by the roots, you might damage them, which makes it impossible to restore the tooth.. Rinsing it in milk is usually idea, but water will also work. This will help to remove any bacteria on the tooth. Make sure it remains wet and that you don't attempt to dry it with anything.

Return the Tooth

If you feel comfortable doing so, try to put the tooth back where it fell out of, but do so very gently. Don't push too hard, but just get it to where it can rest comfortably. You will need to keep it in place with your finger or tongue until you get to the dentist's office. If this isn't an option, try to keep it in your cheek pouch as this keeps it moist enough until you are able to restore the tooth by your dentist.

Treat Your Symptoms

While waiting to see the dentist, treat any pain you have with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen. This not only reduces your pain, but can also help with any swelling you are experiencing. For bleeding, try to control it before you return the tooth to the socket. Putting a cloth on the tooth could cause it to dry out, so try to avoid doing this.

Even if you can't save the tooth, you should still call your dentist to ask what to do next.