It may feel like the end of the world when you have a tooth knocked out, but it’s far more common than you think. 5 million teeth get knocked out every single year in the US.
However common it may be, it’s a serious matter. If you want to avoid lasting damage, you need to act fast. It can cause complications with your remaining teeth.
If you find yourself in this traumatic experience, keep calm and read these tips to save your knocked out tooth.
1. Handle With Care
Because teeth are attached to nerves it can cause severe damage if left untreated. You need to be careful when handling your tooth, while still acting fast.
As soon as your tooth comes out, ensure you’re holding it gently by its crown. Never by the root of the tooth. If you hold the tooth by the root, you can cause damage that’s beyond repair or shatter it completely.
2. Clean Your Knocked Out Tooth
The mouth can bleed profusely, but this is normal if you lose a tooth in this manner. Making it imperative to clean the tooth immediately.
But, keep in mind how sensitive it is, and avoid rinsing it. You’ll also want to avoid brushing the tooth clean or rubbing it in any fashion.
A better alternative is to place it into a bowl or cup when cleaning the tooth.
A Few Cleansing Options:
- Rinse in milk
- Lightly rinse with water
- Soak in saline
The best option is to hold your tooth by the crown and place into milk. If milk isn’t available, dip your tooth into saline or water.
It’s imperative to bring your tooth in clean, so don’t skip this step in a panic.
3. What to do Until You Can Get Dental Assistance
After your knocked out tooth is sparkling clean, you should try to place it back in your mouth — right in the spot it came out of.
If this isn’t an option, you must keep the tooth moist by some means. Either place it in a cup of milk or water to keep the moisture in.
5. Get to Your Dentist
Time is of the essence when you have a knocked out tooth. You should aim to get emergency dental services right away. Within 30 minutes is best if you want the tooth re-implanted.
As long as it’s not in a million pieces, and hasn’t been out of your mouth too long, a dentist can put it back in its place.
Although it is a devastating, you can go to your local dentist during this crisis. Most people go to the hospital when it’s not necessary. The majority of people arriving at hospitals for dental emergencies could have gone to their dentist.
When choosing a quality dentist, check to see if they offer emergency services. You cannot wait to make an appointment. Most reputable dentists will have 24-7 emergency services. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, and ask.
Final Thoughts
As shocking and scary as it may feel, you must remain calm.
Follow the instructions and you’ll have a bright sparkling smile again in no time!
If you’re looking for a dentist who offers around the clock emergency dental services, contact us.