Even with diligent oral health care, our smiles might suffer an accident that can severely harm our dental health. A blow to the face, for instance, could generate impact trauma that may cause a tooth to dislodge from its socket.
If you knock out a tooth, you have a very narrow window of time in which you can save the tooth and restore it to its place in the mouth. You will need to take prompt action following the dental emergency for optimal success.
You can react better in this scenario when you know what you should do ahead of time. So read on to find steps you should take if you accidentally knock out one or more teeth.
Preserve the Tooth
If you lose one of your permanent adult teeth, collect it as soon as you can. Handle it from the crown, when possible, rather than the root. The root contains sensitive nerves that can easily become damaged if you touch them.
The tooth might be dirty if it touched the ground. But you should not rub it with a cloth or other item though since this could result in further damage. You can gently rinse the tooth with milk or water.
To preserve the tooth, you can try to carefully place it back in its socket in your mouth. The saliva will keep it moist and in a better state to save the tooth. Do not force it into place. You can also keep it tucked into the cheek for a similar effect.
If these options are not possible, such as if you worry about swallowing the tooth, you can store it in a cup filled with spit. You might also place it in a cup of milk or water. Milk is preferable to water because it contains nutrients that can better preserve the tooth.
Attend Emergency Dentist Appointment
You must call our dentist right away if you knock out one or more of your teeth. Or you should go straight to our dentist’s office. Time is of the essence if you want a higher chance of successfully restoring the tooth to your smile.
Visit our dentist within half an hour of losing the tooth if you can. Bring the dislodged tooth with you to this appointment.
When you arrive, the dentist will start treatment by cleaning the area, flushing the socket with water, and placing the tooth in this spot. They will ensure it remains in place with a splint. The tooth should then reattach within three to four weeks.
If the tooth sustained a fracture, you might need more time for the injury to heal completely. Follow aftercare instructions from our dentist for an efficient, issue-free recovery.
If for some reason the tooth cannot reattach, such as if the tooth has suffered too much damage, visit our dentist anyway. We can discuss tooth replacement options and cosmetic dentistry with you to restore your dental structure. Ask our dentist if you qualify for implant dentistry.