Honestly, I always wondered about the milk thing—like, who actually has milk on them at a playground? Last time my kid lost a tooth, I just handed it to her in a snack baggie. Dentist said it was fine for the short drive. Maybe we overthink it sometimes...
Yeah, I’ve always been confused about the milk thing too. I mean, I get that dentists say it’s good for the tooth, but who’s actually carrying around a carton of milk at the park? I barely remember to bring wipes most days. When my niece knocked out her front tooth (she tripped over a jump rope, classic), my sister just wrapped it in a napkin and rushed to the dentist. They put it back in, no fuss. The dentist mentioned milk as an “ideal,” but also said saliva or even just a clean container is fine if you’re quick.
Honestly, I panic about this stuff way more than I probably need to. Like, what if I do it wrong and my kid’s stuck with a gap forever? But then every time I talk to someone who’s actually gone through it, it sounds like as long as you don’t let the tooth dry out and you hurry, it usually works out. Still, I have this weird fear that if I mess up those first few minutes, it’s all over. Maybe that’s just me overthinking things again.
I did read somewhere that putting the tooth back in the socket yourself is best if you can, but that freaks me out. Has anyone actually tried that? I’d be so worried about hurting them or doing it wrong. Snack baggie seems way more manageable in the heat of the moment.
Anyway, glad to hear a dentist said the baggie was fine for a short drive. Makes me feel a bit less anxious about not being perfectly prepared all the time.
I did read somewhere that putting the tooth back in the socket yourself is best if you can, but that freaks me out. Has anyone actually tried that? I’d be so worried about hurting them or doing it wrong.
I totally get being nervous about putting the tooth back in yourself—I'd be terrified I'd push too hard or mess it up. When my cousin lost his tooth in a bike accident, his mom just put it in milk (they were at home, lucky) and the dentist said that was fine since they got there fast. Has anyone been told different by their dentist about using water? I’ve heard mixed things about that and wonder if it’s actually bad for the tooth.
Has anyone been told different by their dentist about using water? I’ve heard mixed things about that and wonder if it’s actually bad for the tooth.
My orthodontist was pretty clear about water not being great for a knocked-out tooth—it can damage the cells on the root, apparently. Milk or even saliva is supposed to be better. I get why putting it back in sounds scary, though... I'd probably freeze up too, honestly. But yeah, water isn’t really recommended from what I’ve been told.
Milk or even saliva is supposed to be better.
That’s what I was told too. When my little brother knocked his tooth out, we panicked and rinsed it with tap water before heading to the dentist. Later, they said milk would’ve been gentler. I still feel guilty about that... but who thinks of milk in the moment?