A knocked-out tooth is a common dental emergency and should be dealt with as quickly as possible.
We all want to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile in the long-term, but unfortunately accidents can (and do) happen. Sport-related injuries, as well as falls and hard knocks can all result in a knocked-out tooth. The good news, however, is that it is possible to save a tooth that has fallen out. Read on to find out what you should do if you experience this type of dental emergency…
1. Don’t touch the roots
If one of your teeth has been knocked out in an accident or as the result of an injury, it is important that you act as fast as possible. Retrieve the tooth, making sure that you pick it up by the crown rather than the roots. When you pick it up, do so gently and don’t touch the roots at all as this can cause serious damage. If your knocked-out tooth is dirty, you can rinse it gently with some water. It is very important that you don’t use any soap or other cleaning materials. You should also avoid scrubbing or drying the tooth, and don’t wrap it up in a cloth or tissue.
2. Reposition the tooth
If possible, you should try and place the knocked-out tooth back into its socket as soon as possible. Do so gently and don’t force it, making sure to touch the crown of the tooth only. Place the tooth above the socket and slowly close your mouth. You can hold the tooth in place by biting down softy or by holding it gently with your fingers. If you are not able to reposition the knocked-out tooth in its socket, make sure that you keep it moist at all times. You can store it in a cup of milk, or inside your cheek.
3. See your dentist immediately
The sooner you can see your dentist, the better the chances that your knocked-out tooth can be saved and its function fully restored. Ideally, you should try to get to your dentist’s office within 30 minutes of the accident. Bring your tooth along with you to your appointment so that your dentist can try to reposition it and secure it back in your mouth. Your dentist will explain the process to you and, if necessary, provide you with pain medication to alleviate any discomfort that you experience.
If your tooth has not been knocked out completely but is partially dislodged, fractured, or cracked, it is also advisable that you see your dentist as soon as possible. In the case of a cracked or fractured tooth, rinse your mouth with warm salty water and apply a cold pack to the outside of your cheek if you have experienced facial trauma. Call your dentist to arrange an emergency appointment so that they can take x-rays to determine the severity of the damage. In some cases, you may require a crown to save the tooth. If the tooth pulp has been damaged, you might need to undergo root canal therapy.
How can we help?
At Dental Pearls, we offer emergency dentistry services to help alleviate severe pain and save knocked-out or damaged teeth. Some of the most common dental emergencies that we deal with include severe toothache; knocked-out teeth; loose teeth; cracked, chipped, and fractured teeth; severe tissue injuries; and oral infections or dental abscesses. If you experience any dental emergency that requires immediate attention, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on (07) 3210 2144 and we will see you as soon as possible.
We also offer a range of other treatments, including orthodontics, preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, and cosmetic procedures. To find out more about the services that we provide at Dental Pearls, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here or give us a call on (07) 3210 2144.
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