Final answer:
Handle an avulsed tooth by its crown to avoid damaging the root and the delicate cells necessary for reimplantation. Gently rinse the tooth and keep it moist if reinsertion into the socket is not immediately possible.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with an avulsed tooth, you should handle it by its crown. The crown is the visible part of the tooth above the gum line and is covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the body. It is vital not to touch the root or the root canal, to preserve the tooth's viability for reimplantation. Proper handling includes gently rinsing the tooth without scrubbing and inserting it back into the socket if possible, or keeping it moist in milk or saline to prevent drying. This can help protect the delicate cells on the root surface that are essential for reattaching the tooth to the bone.