What is the optimal storage medium for an avulsed permanent tooth, and is normal saline acceptable if Hank's Balanced Salt Solution or milk are unavailable?

Normal Saline is NOT Acceptable for Avulsed Tooth Storage

Normal saline should be avoided for storing avulsed permanent teeth, as it is explicitly ranked as inferior to multiple readily available alternatives including milk, and guidelines specifically recommend against its use when better options exist. 1

Hierarchy of Storage Media

The 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines provide a clear ranking system for avulsed tooth storage based on periodontal ligament cell viability 1:

First-Tier Options (Preferred):

• Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) - Most effective at preserving periodontal ligament cells 1, 2, 3
• Oral rehydration salt solutions (e.g., Ricetral) - Contains balanced glucose and electrolytes 1
• Propolis (0.04-2.5 mg/mL in 0.4% ethanol) 1
• Pre-prepared rice water 1
• Cling film wrap - Prevents dehydration 1

Second-Tier Options (Acceptable alternatives):

• Cow's milk (any fat percentage) - Most practical and widely available alternative 1, 4
• Patient's own saliva (buccal vestibule) - Though evidence is insufficient for strong recommendation 1

Third-Tier Options (Last resort only):

• Probiotic media 1
• Egg white 1
• Almond milk 1

Explicitly NOT Recommended:

• Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) - Inferior to milk and other options 1
• Tap water - Causes osmotic lysis of periodontal ligament cells; never use 1, 2, 5
• Buttermilk, castor oil, turmeric extract - All inferior to milk 1

Why Saline Fails

The 2020 International Consensus explicitly states that cow's milk should be used "compared with tap water, buttermilk, castor oil, turmeric extract, or saline (0.9% sodium chloride)" when better options are unavailable 1. This recommendation is based on very low-certainty evidence showing that saline does not adequately preserve periodontal ligament cell viability compared to milk and superior storage media 1.

Critical Clinical Pitfalls

• Do not delay replantation to search for storage media - Immediate replantation after brief rinsing (<10 seconds) is always superior to any storage method 1, 2, 5
• Extra-alveolar dry time is the most critical prognostic factor - Every minute out of the socket decreases success rates 2, 5
• Handle only the crown, never touch the root surface - Periodontal ligament fibroblasts are fragile and essential for reattachment 2, 5

Practical Algorithm When HBSS/Milk Unavailable

If you encounter an avulsed tooth and optimal storage media are not immediately available 1:

1. First 30 seconds: Attempt immediate replantation after brief rinse
2. If replantation impossible: Use oral rehydration solution from first aid kit
3. If no ORS: Wrap tooth in cling film to prevent desiccation
4. If no cling film: Place in patient's saliva (have them hold it in buccal vestibule)
5. Only as absolute last resort: Use saline over tap water, but recognize this is suboptimal

Temperature Considerations

One RCT found that periodontal ligament viability was better at cooler temperatures (5°C) for most storage media except HBSS, though at room temperature (20°C), HBSS remained most effective 1. Cold milk packed in ice is therefore an excellent practical alternative when HBSS is unavailable 6.

Bottom Line for Clinical Practice

In the real-world first aid setting, if HBSS is unavailable, use cold milk—not saline. Milk is widely available, inexpensive, and significantly superior to saline for preserving periodontal ligament cell viability 1, 4. The patient should seek emergency dental care immediately regardless of storage method used 1, 2.