As a dental health expert with extensive knowledge in oral care and emergency dental situations, I often get asked about the best practices when dealing with a knocked-out tooth. The question of why we should place a tooth in milk if it falls out is a common one, and it's important to understand the rationale behind this advice.

Firstly, it's crucial to know that the goal in any situation where a tooth has been knocked out is to preserve the tooth's viability for possible re-implantation. This is because a tooth that has been out of the mouth for a prolonged period can lose its ability to reattach to the jawbone. The cells on the root surface, known as periodontal ligament cells, are delicate and can die if they dry out. Once these cells are lost, the tooth cannot be re-implanted successfully.

Milk is often recommended as a storage medium for a few key reasons:


1. Humidity: Milk provides a moist environment that helps to keep the tooth's root from drying out. The root is covered in cells that are necessary for the tooth to reattach to the jawbone. If these cells dry out, they can die, and the tooth will not be able to be re-implanted.


2. Nutrient Content: Milk contains nutrients that can help to nourish the cells on the root surface. This is particularly important because these cells are in a state of shock after being knocked out of the mouth.


3. Osmotic Balance: The osmotic balance in milk is similar to that of the human body. This means that cells from the root surface do not swell up and burst as they might if placed in water, which could lead to cell death.


4. Antimicrobial Properties: Milk has some antimicrobial properties that can help to prevent bacterial growth on the tooth, which is another risk when a tooth is outside of the mouth.


5. Accessibility: Milk is a readily available substance in many households and is easy to carry in a small container, making it a convenient option in an emergency.

When a tooth is knocked out, the following steps should be taken:


1. Handle with Care: Pick up the tooth by the crown (the top part), not the root to avoid damaging the cells on the root surface.


2. Rinse Gently: If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water. Do not scrub it or use soap as this can damage the cells.


3. Milk Soak: Place the tooth in a small container of milk or cover it with milk-soaked gauze or a piece of cloth. The tooth should be fully submerged.


4. Seek Immediate Dental Care: The sooner the tooth is re-implanted by a dentist, the better the chances of success. Ideally, this should be done within 30 minutes to an hour.


5. Avoid Delay: Do not wait to see if the tooth can be saved. Time is of the essence in these situations.

It's important to note that while milk is a good temporary solution, it is not a long-term one. The tooth should be re-implanted as soon as possible by a dental professional. If you cannot get to a dentist within the recommended time frame, you can also consider storing the tooth in the patient's mouth, between the cheek and gum, or in a saline solution.

In conclusion, placing a tooth in milk after it has been knocked out is a time-tested method that helps to preserve the tooth's cells and increase the chances of a successful re-implantation. It's a simple and effective way to handle a dental emergency until professional help can be sought.

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Place the tooth into a small container or plastic wrap and add some milk or saline to keep the root from drying out. Milk is a good medium for storing knocked-out teeth because cells from the root surface don't swell up and burst as they do when placed in water.Sep 10, 2012read more >>