What's the deal with knocked-out teeth and milk?

[George P Burdell]

Text

The article recommends washing knocked out teeth with milk instead of tap water (because tap water has chlorine). Why milk? Is this because milk is a commonly available liquid free of harsh chemicals, or is there some other reason?

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Milk contains calcium.

 

[Joemonkey]

I refuse to acknowledge the OP's existence...

but anyway, tap water contains flouride, so you'd think that'd help teeth too? i dunno, calcium is what teeth are pretty much made of, so maybe milk is the better liquid. Ask a dentist.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Calcium. Good for the bones.

 

[TruePaige]

Calcium Yay.

 

[Gibsons]

You want to keep the cells in the tooth alive, so you need a pH near 7 and something near an isotonic solution. Tap water around here has a pH near 10.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Milk contains calcium.

so does spinach

 

[Pathogen03]

how the hell do you get to an emergency room and get through the goddamn line, and then treated within 30 minutes?


Hospitals are slow as hell in my area, i wonder if its better in Canada..

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Milk contains calcium.

The tooth isn't just gonna suck in the calcium from the milk... doesn't seem likely.

Originally posted by: Gibsons
You want to keep the cells in the tooth alive, so you need a pH near 7 and something near an isotonic solution. Tap water around here has a pH near 10.

This sounds much more likely.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

House says to shove the teeth up your ass, putting food on your chair, and learning to eat as you sit down.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
Text

The article recommends washing knocked out teeth with milk instead of tap water (because tap water has chlorine). Why milk? Is this because milk is a commonly available liquid free of harsh chemicals, or is there some other reason?

the ph of milk is very close to the ph of the periodontal ligament. you want to keep the tooth's periodontal ligament attachment sites to maintain their integrity.

 

[Mark R]

When a tooth is pulled out, it damaged the periodontal ligament which is part of the tissue that holds it in. Some of the cells that can regenerate the ligament are pulled out on the tooth, so it is essential that the tooth is preserved in such a way that these cells aren't damaged.

It is essential that the tooth is kept moist, otherwise the cells will dehydrate. However, it is important that the fluid used is 'isotonic'. This ensures that the fluid won't overhydrate or dehydrate the cells.

Milk is ideal for this - it's isotonic, readily available and cold.

 

[911paramedic]

That's what I learned in medic school, but milk is not an item we usually carry on the ambulance. The other option, as long as you are ok with it, is to keep it in your mouth.

(Don't choke on it, I also learned that dying is worse than losing a tooth.)

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
That's what I learned in medic school, but milk is not an item we usually carry on the ambulance. The other option, as long as you are ok with it, is to keep it in your mouth.

(Don't choke on it, I also learned that dying is worse than losing a tooth.)

*Scribbles notes...*

 

[Itchrelief]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
That's what I learned in medic school, but milk is not an item we usually carry on the ambulance. The other option, as long as you are ok with it, is to keep it in your mouth.

(Don't choke on it, I also learned that dying is worse than losing a tooth.)

Do they carry IV fluid? Might be a somewhat expensive alternative.

 

[farfignugen]

Originally posted by: Pathogen03
how the hell do you get to an emergency room and get through the goddamn line, and then treated within 30 minutes?


Hospitals are slow as hell in my area, i wonder if its better in Canada..

almost all dental offices can get the tooth reseated and splinted pretty quickly, unless this happens to be during off-hours, but most dentists I know will come or refer to an available site.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Originally posted by: Pathogen03
how the hell do you get to an emergency room and get through the goddamn line, and then treated within 30 minutes?


Hospitals are slow as hell in my area, i wonder if its better in Canada..

You don't go to an emergency room, you go to a dental office. While they may be able to get an oral surgeon to an emergency room, it would be faster just to go to their office.

 

[nakedfrog]

Speaking of which, when is House back on?