Tooth Knocked Out?

(HealthDay News) -- If one of your teeth should get knocked out, milk is the perfect medium for keeping it alive until you can get to to a dentist.

Putting the tooth in water, or whatever liquid is available, is better than letting it dry out, but water can damage the cells of the tooth within minutes, according to Dr. Leif K. Bakland, a dentist and chair of endodontics for the School of Dentistry at Loma Linda University in California.

Milk is largely free from harmful bacteria, and the cells on the tooth are less likely to absorb milk and ultimately burst, which can happen far more quickly in water.

With proper care and quick action, the dentist or endodontist may be able to place the tooth in the socket so it can re-attach itself and function for many more years.

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