According to the American Association of Endodontists, roughly 5 million adults and children suffer from an avulsed (knocked-out) tooth each year. If you ever have to deal with that type of dental emergency, you should take prompt action to find relief from your pain and protect your oral health. But what exactly should you do? Should you put a knocked-out tooth back in its socket, or should you consider it a lost cause? This blog post explains what you should do to increase the chances that your tooth can be saved.
Try to Place the Tooth Back in Its Socket
After a tooth gets knocked out, one of the first things you should do is call your dentist to request an emergency appointment. You should also take steps to preserve the tooth in order to increase the chances that it can be replanted in its proper place.
Gently pick up the tooth by its top part (the crown). Then, carefully rinse off any visible dirt or debris. Next, try to slide it back into its socket. To keep it in place, gently bite down or hold it in place with a finger.
Storing the tooth in your mouth’s moist environment will keep it viable for longer than if it was left out in the open. Teeth are designed to exist in wet surroundings.
What If You Cannot Get the Tooth Back Into Its Socket?
Depending on the nature of your injury, it might be difficult or impossible to slide the tooth back into its socket. If that happens to you, you should find another way to keep the tooth moist. You might try:
- Tucking the tooth between your cheek and gums.
- Storing the tooth in a glass of milk.
- Using a tooth preservation kit from a local pharmacy.
You should not use plain water or any acidic liquids to keep the tooth moist; they are likely to damage the tooth instead of preserving it.
Can the Tooth Be Saved?
If you take the correct steps to protect your tooth, and you can get to your dentist within an hour or two of losing it, it might be possible for your dentist to splint it back into place. Over time, your body should reintegrate it.
If the tooth cannot be saved, do not despair. Your dentist can tend to the damage to your mouth and talk to you about your tooth replacement options. You might be eligible for a dental implant or fixed bridge.
You should act quickly to save an avulsed tooth! Follow the advice in this article to increase the chances that you can retain a complete smile.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Joseph Sandberg and Vidya Kini Kukkundur are the experienced, skilled dentists at the South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine. They treat emergency cases quickly and with compassion; they accept same-day appointments and can make room in their schedule for urgent walk-ins. To learn more about our practice and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Marlton office at 856-596-4333.