Losing a permanent tooth is never a welcome event, especially when the tooth is forced out of place during a traumatic injury or bad fall. However, cases of “knocked-out” teeth do happen in both children and adults. While the scenario can be quite frightening, it is important to remain calm because there are some things you can do to increase your chances of saving your lost tooth. Yes, that’s right – an avulsed (displaced) tooth can often be replanted by your dentist and last for years to come. However, timing is critical.
In general, patients have about 30 minutes to act if they want to save a knocked-out tooth. To increase the success rate for replantation of your tooth, you should follow these three steps:
- Call Your Dentist. Once you realize your tooth is displaced after an injury, go ahead and contact your emergency dentist to let them know you are on your way. You’ll want to get to his or her office as quickly as possible.
- Find and Clean the Lost Tooth. When picking up your tooth, only touch the crown of the tooth and NOT the root. Handle it gently and rinse it with plain water if the tooth is dirty. There’s no need to use toothpaste or any chemical cleaner.
- Keep the Tooth Moist. It is important that you not let the avulsed tooth dry out. This can be done in several different ways. Ideally, you should put the tooth back in its socket and hold it there until you see your dentist. If this is not possible (which is often the case in children), you can store the tooth in a cup of milk or your own saliva. The tooth can even be placed inside your cheek to avoid drying out.
A Trusted Emergency Dentist in Gainesville
At Gainesville Dental Group, we are equipped to treat all types of dental emergencies, including those that involve a knocked-out tooth. When it comes to your oral health, we know that there are times in which your dental concern simply can’t wait. Please don’t hesitate to call our office for a same-day appointment.
Posted on behalf of Gainesville Dental Group
