What Should You Do When A Tooth Is Knocked Out?
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Whether you're playing sports, working around the house or just enjoying life, accidents can occur that cause teeth to be knocked out. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, it's important to know how to handle it quickly and efficiently. So, what should you do next?
How To Handle A Knocked-Out Tooth
The first step is to stay calm. It's easy to panic when something like this happens, but it's important to stay calm and collected so that you can take the right steps towards handling the situation properly. Once you have regained your composure, the next step is to find the knocked-out tooth and pick it up by the crown (the visible part of the tooth). Ensure you don't touch the root, as this could damage it further.
Initial Protection
Once you have located and picked up your tooth, gently rinse it off with some cold water if necessary (avoid using soap or anything else). After rinsing off your tooth, place it into a container filled with milk or saline solution (this will keep your tooth moist until you get professional help). If neither of these is available, wrap your tooth in a clean cloth or tissue and place it inside of your cheek for safekeeping.
Make An Appointment
After you have taken steps to protect the tooth in the short term, get in touch with an emergency dentist as soon as possible. The sooner a professional sees you after having had a tooth knocked out, the better chance for successful reimplantation. Time is very critical when dealing with a knocked-out tooth, so make sure that you do not delay.
During the Visit
When you visit the office, the dentist will assess the situation and decide whether reimplantation is possible. If they don't think this is realistic in the circumstances, another option (such as a dental implant) may be considered, depending on each individual case/situation.
What To Remember
It's important to remember that should an unfortunate event like this occur, you need to take proper steps immediately to avoid any permanent damage. Keeping your tooth moist in either milk or saline solution (or even inside of your cheek) can make the next steps easier. If you have any questions about what to do should one of your teeth ever become knocked out, ask a dental professional for further guidance. They'll be delighted to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
Contact a dental service like Jansz Dental to learn more.