Dealing with any sort of dental emergencies can leave you worried. This can be especially true if you have just knocked out a tooth by accident. You may be panicked and a bit overwhelmed, but it’s important you take a deep breath and act fast. Doing so can help improve your odds of saving it. Here’s how to handle a knocked-out tooth and what your dentist can do to help you.
What Should I Do If I Knock Out a Tooth?
It might seem hard, but try your best to stay calm. Once you get a good grasp of the situation, follow these steps:
- Find your tooth and pick it up by the chewing surface. Try not to touch the root, as there may be cells that can help with reattachment.
- Rinse it in a still bowl of plain water. Don’t scrub it or use anything else; just make sure that it doesn’t dry out, so avoid wrapping it in a cloth or tissue.
- Reinsert the tooth. You might be able to pop it back into place and just bite down on a paper towel or washcloth.
- If you can’t put it back in, place it into milk or in your mouth between your cheek and gums. Try not to swallow it if you do the latter.
- Go to your emergency dentist right away. Head over to their practice immediately, as you have the best shot of success if you visit them within 30 to 60 minutes of the incident occurring. Waiting too long can reduce your chances of a successful reattachment.
Will My Dentist Be Able to Save My Tooth?
When you get to your dentist, they’ll do an oral assessment and get you out of pain. By looking at the extent of the damage and how long it’s been, your tooth may be able to be salvaged. They’ll place it back in and put on a split, keeping it in place.
There may be a chance that it cannot be saved. While this option may not seem ideal, reattaching your tooth can cause more harm than good. Instead, your provider can talk to you about replacement options like dental implants.
In the end, follow the steps above. While the outcome may be hard to predict, you should stay calm, act quickly, and visit your dentist right away. That way, you give your smile the best shot it has to recover.
About the Author
Dr. Jenny Hong earned her dental degree from the University of Toronto and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Temple University. She is committed to helping those in the Morgan Hill community with their dental emergencies, such as knocking out a tooth. By offering same-day visits, you can get the relief and treatment you deserve right away. If you had ended up in this situation, the fastest way to schedule an appointment is by calling (408) 763-3008.