Lost a tooth? Don’t panic, but let’s get that fixed

A missing tooth can be distressing because it might affect how you look, but there’s more to it than that. A pocket anywhere in your mouth can expose you to infections and other problems. Take these steps to help you keep your tooth, smile and great oral health. These suggestions apply only to adult (permanent) teeth:

1. Recover the tooth, if possible.
2. Hold it by the top, not the root, and gently rinse the root of the tooth with water, milk or a saline solution. Don’t scrub it or remove attached tissue.
3. In some cases, you can temporarily put it back in the empty socket. Otherwise place the tooth in a container of milk or saline solution (not water).
4. Immediately see your dentist with the tooth. The faster you get to care, the better chance you have of your tooth being restored.

How to care for a lost crown or filling

1. Apply a small dab of petroleum jelly inside the crown.
2. Place the crown back on the tooth to create a temporary seal.
3. Avoid using that tooth.
4. See your dentist as soon as possible. Use the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) Find a Dentist tool if you need help locating a network provider.