What is the proper first aid for saving a loose or dislocated tooth?
If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it. If it is out of its socket completely and unattached it is best to have the person hold it in his mouth, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation. If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out and handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it. If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until a dentist is available, if not available lukewarm water will suffice. Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.
