How to Handle a Knocked Out Tooth
No one ever expects to lose a tooth, but it’s a common dental emergency. Sometimes, it’s the result of a freak accident, like your 3-year-old playfully headbutting you or a tumble down the stairs at work, and others it’s the consequence of playing sports without a mouthguard.
No matter how it happens, losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience. The lost tooth not only leaves you in pain, it also has you worried about what happens next. Can it be saved? If not, will you need an implant? How much will that cost? There’s a lot that goes through your mind, leaving you feeling panicked and overwhelmed. That’s why it’s important to know what to do ahead of time.
Dr. Danny Moosa and his team at Parkway Family Dental can provide the guidance you need to properly handle a knocked out tooth, making it less stressful. Here, they’ve put together the proper steps to follow to give your tooth the best chance of survival.
If you want to save your tooth, you can’t leave it sitting on the ground for too long. There’s no time to waste; start looking for the tooth as soon as it comes out. When you find it, pick it up carefully—and never touch the root as doing so can impact healing and cause you to lose the tooth permanently. Gently pick it up from the chewing surface instead.
There’s a good chance your missing tooth got a little dirty when it hit the ground or the floor, and you’ll want it cleaned up before it goes back into your mouth. You can gently clean the tooth (resist the urge to scrub) but only use water—soap or other cleaning agents can do damage. Don’t wrap it in tissue or cloth, either; leave it out.
This might sound weird, but it’s worth a shot. If you’re able, reposition the tooth in the socket right after you rinse it off. How? Holding the surface, (again, never the root) gently push the tooth back into the socket with your fingers. You can then hold it in place or slowly bite down and close your mouth. While it won’t reimplant on its own, this gives it the best chance of survival.
If you just can’t get your tooth in the socket, put it in milk. The tooth needs to stay moist, and milk does the trick. It’s important to note, though, not to use tap water because root surface cells can’t tolerate it long.
To safely transport the tooth to Dr. Moosa’s office, put it in a food container and pour in enough milk to cover it. Don’t forget to put the lid on before you head to Parkway Family Dental, keeping the tooth safe.
No milk available? You also can place the tooth in your mouth next to your cheek (just be careful not to swallow it) or, if you have one, grab your emergency tooth preservation kit.
The sooner you can see Dr. Moosa and the team at Parkway Family Dental, the better. Within 30 minutes after the injury is best, though following the proper steps to preserve the tooth may buy you more time. The message is, though, don’t wait to see Dr. Moosa. If too much time passes, saving the tooth won’t be an option.
If you follow Dr. Moosa’s advice and get to Parkway Family Dental as soon as you can, chances are good he can successfully reimplant the tooth. Not sure what that entails? He’ll go over the procedure and answer any questions you may have so you know exactly what to expect. If, for some reason, the tooth can’t be saved, Dr. Moosa and his team will talk with you about your options.
Losing a tooth is a stressful experience. Knowing how to handle the situation alleviates some of that stress, and gives you a better chance of saving the tooth. If you ever experience this trauma, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Moosa and the team at Parkway Family Dental. They’ll guide you through these steps again if you need a reminder, and will do their best to keep you calm and comfortable throughout the entire process.
Remember, you don’t have to wait until you have a dental emergency to call Parkway Family Dental. Schedule your next routine visit with Dr. Moosa today.
Please call 614.854.0101 or click below to schedule an appointment online. We can't wait to meet you!