I had to scramble once when my niece knocked a tooth out at the playground, and we just used cold water because there was nothing else. The dentist said milk is better since it keeps the cells alive longer, but water’s better than letting it dry out. Those Save-a-Tooth kits apparently have a special solution that mimics body fluid, but I’ve never actually seen one in anyone’s house. As for baby teeth, the dentist just shrugged and said they don’t put them back in—only adult teeth are worth the rush. It’s honestly so chaotic in the moment, I was just glad we found the tooth at all.
It’s honestly so chaotic in the moment, I was just glad we found the tooth at all.
Seriously, just finding the tooth is like winning the lottery in those moments. I always thought you were supposed to just stick it in milk, but who actually has a random cup of milk on them at the park? Never seen those Save-a-Tooth kits either—maybe dentists just keep them for show. My kid lost a baby tooth during tag once and I freaked, but turns out it’s not even a big deal. Wish someone told me that before I started crawling around in the mulch.
Never seen those Save-a-Tooth kits either—maybe dentists just keep them for show.
Right? I always hear about those kits but never actually seen one in real life. When my nephew knocked out a tooth, we ended up wrapping it in a wet paper towel because, like you said, who has milk handy? I did find out later that baby teeth aren’t supposed to be reimplanted anyway, which honestly made me feel better about not having the “right” supplies. Still, I keep wondering if I should have something at home just in case...
who has milk handy?
Seriously, I always laugh when people say to put a tooth in milk. I barely have milk for cereal, let alone emergency tooth storage. When my daughter lost her front tooth at the playground, we just rinsed it and called the dentist in a panic. Turns out, like you said, baby teeth are just meant to go. Still, I keep a little first aid kit with gauze and a small container—just in case—but honestly, I think staying calm is half the battle.
I get what you’re saying about the milk thing, but I’ve actually read a bunch of stuff that says milk really is best for keeping a tooth alive if it gets knocked out (like an adult tooth, not baby). I know it sounds weird—who has a random cup of milk at the park? But isn’t there something about the pH and the minerals in milk that helps preserve the root cells? Water apparently isn’t great because it can damage them.
When my nephew lost his permanent tooth at soccer, my sister freaked out and just stuck it in her water bottle, then rushed to the dentist. They said milk would’ve been better. Now she keeps one of those little shelf-stable milk cartons in her car first aid kit. I guess it’s overkill for baby teeth since they’re not going back in, but for older kids or adults...maybe it’s worth having?
I’m honestly still confused about when you’re supposed to try saving a tooth and when not to bother. Does anyone else find all these “emergency” rules kind of overwhelming?
