I get the whole milk thing, but honestly, I’m not totally convinced it’s always necessary. When my niece lost her front tooth at a soccer game, we couldn’t find milk anywhere—just water bottles and juice boxes. We just rinsed the tooth with water and got to the dentist as fast as we could. The dentist said the main thing is not letting it dry out, and water was better than nothing. The tooth actually took just fine.
Has anyone else heard about those “Save-A-Tooth” kits? I’ve seen them online and they’re supposed to be even better than milk, but I’ve never met anyone who actually carries one. Feels like overkill unless you’re a coach or something.
Also, about putting the tooth under the tongue—my dentist said that’s only if you’re sure the kid won’t swallow it. I’d be so nervous about that with little ones. Anyone tried that and not had a panic attack?
Also, about putting the tooth under the tongue—my dentist said that’s only if you’re sure the kid won’t swallow it. I’d be so nervous about that with little ones. Anyone tried that and not had a panic attack?
There’s no way I’d trust a wiggly seven-year-old to keep a tooth under their tongue without swallowing it. That sounds like a recipe for a second emergency. I think the “milk thing” gets repeated so much because it’s easy to remember and almost always available—except, of course, when you actually need it. Water’s always been my backup too, though I’ve heard tap water isn’t ideal because of the chlorine, but honestly, if it’s between that or letting the tooth dry out, I’m reaching for whatever’s closest.
Those Save-A-Tooth kits seem like a good idea in theory, but unless you’re running the team first aid kit, who actually has one on hand? I coach little league and even then, we’ve only ever used water or milk from the snack cooler. Also, juice? That just seems sticky and wrong. Has anyone actually tried that?
I guess the real takeaway is: don’t let the tooth dry out and get to a dentist fast. Everything else is just bonus points.
I’ve never trusted the under-the-tongue trick either. My kid would 100% swallow it, no question. Milk’s always been my go-to, but I’ll admit there’s been a time or two when all I had was tap water and a ziplock bag. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Those Save-A-Tooth kits sound great until you look at the price—hard to justify for something you might never use. Juice just seems like a mess waiting to happen... sticky teeth and sugar everywhere? No thanks. Honestly, if you’re on a budget, just keep a little container in your glovebox for emergencies.
I get what you’re saying about the Save-A-Tooth kits—totally pricey for something you might never actually need. But is a little container in the glovebox really that much better? I’m just thinking about how gross stuff gets in my car over time, especially with the temperature changes. Wouldn’t that mess with the tooth if you ever did have to use it?
I’ve heard from my ortho that tap water isn’t great for knocked-out teeth, but I’ve definitely panicked and used it before. Is there actually a big difference between putting the tooth in water versus milk, or is it just “better than nothing” either way? I always wonder if there’s something super basic we’re all missing here.
And about the under-the-tongue thing—my braces make that impossible anyway. No way I’m risking swallowing a tooth or getting it stuck somewhere weird. Anyone ever tried wrapping the tooth in a damp paper towel? Not sure if that’s any better, but it seems less risky than some of the other options.
Yeah, the idea of keeping a tooth in the glovebox kinda weirds me out too. My car gets super hot in summer and freezing in winter—can’t imagine that’s good for anything, let alone a tooth you’re hoping to save. I’ve always heard milk is the “go-to” if you can’t get to a dentist right away. Once, in a panic, I used water too and felt guilty after, but the dentist just said it was better than letting it dry out. Never tried the damp paper towel trick, but I’d be nervous it’d dry out too fast. The braces thing is such a pain—I totally get not wanting to risk under-the-tongue. It’s stressful when there’s no perfect answer, but sounds like you’re doing your best with what you’ve got.