What should I do if my child’s tooth is accidently knocked out?

First thing is to find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, and the child is old enough try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold it in place by biting down upon some gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk. The patient must see a dentist immediately! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.