Having a tooth knocked out might be the most frightening traumatic dental injury you may sustain. In addition to the pain and the shock of losing an adult tooth, most individuals aren’t aware of the actions they should take following the dislodgement.
It may come as a surprise, but you can actually save a tooth that has been knocked out, if proper actions are followed. To ensure you’re able to follow the steps in an unfortunate event, we’ve created this quick-step guide to emergency treatment.
If you’ve experienced a traumatic dental injury, Access Endodontics can help. Dr. Lina Jarboe, Dr. Burton Waxman, and their team of dedicated dental professionals will provide you with the expedient guidance you need, whether you’ve had teeth knocked out, you need loose tooth repair, or your tooth has sustained root damage.
Talk to your dentist or call Access Endodontics at 410.304.7226 right away.
Reasons Why Teeth Get Knocked Out
The following are some of the most common reasons why a tooth may get knocked out:
- Sports injuries
- Blows to the head
- Car accidents
- Physical altercations
There are plenty of precautions you can take to reduce traumatic dental injuries, but sometimes it’s just hard to avoid a disaster. Your best bet is to be prepared in the event that something does happen.
What to Do When You Have a Tooth Knocked Out
Should you ever have a tooth, or teeth, knocked out, below are a few steps to follow.
Locate the Tooth
Remember that your tooth may be reinserted into your mouth after being dislodged. Full recovery is possible if swift action is taken, and you visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Handle the Tooth by the Crown
When retrieving the tooth, do not touch it on the root. Grab it by the chewing surface, or you risk damaging the highly sensitive root, jeopardizing your odds of successfully reinserting the tooth into your mouth.
Clean the Tooth Off
Rinse it off in milk to get the knocked-out tooth as clean as possible. If you don’t have any milk, you can use water, but do not use any sort of cloth or fabric to wipe the tooth down, or you may end up damaging it.
Try to Reinsert the Tooth
Often, you’ll be able to put the tooth right back in its original socket. Do so gently and make sure that it’s facing the right direction. If this is successful, either hold it carefully in place while you get to a dentist or bite down gently on something.
Keep the Tooth Moist During Transport
If you can’t keep the tooth in its socket, you’ll need to keep it moist. If you have milk, pour some into a small container, then place your tooth into it for transit. It is also possible to hold the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums. As a last resort, you can place the tooth in a cup of water.
Keep in mind that you should not allow a child to hold their tooth in their mouth, as it is a choking hazard. Have them spit the tooth into a container and use the saliva to keep it moist.
Get to an Emergency Dentist or Endodontist
Time is of the essence, so contact your dentist or endodontist on their emergency line and schedule an emergency appointment.
Tooth Avulsion and Loose Tooth Repair from Access Endodontics
When you experience a traumatic dental injury, Access Endodontics will be there to restore your smile and protect your oral health. Call your dentist or contact us today by calling 410.304.7226.