60. What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?

Acting quickly can make a big difference, especially for permanent teeth. Follow these steps:

-Stay calm and reassure your child – Accidents happen; keeping them calm helps reduce stress.
-Locate the tooth – Pick it up by the crown (the white part), avoiding the root.
-Rinse gently – If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with water. Do not scrub or remove any tissue.
-Preserve the tooth
-If possible, place the tooth back in its socket.
-If not, store it in milk or a tooth preservation kit (available at many pharmacies).
-Seek dental care immediately – Contact your pediatric dentist right away. Permanent teeth have the best chance of being saved if treated quickly.

Important: Baby teeth are usually not re-implanted, but your child should still be seen by a dentist to check for injury and prevent infection.