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Casey Fleser
It’s something that none of us expects to happen. Whether it’s a car accident, a thrown baseball or some other trauma, a tooth can become dislodged from your mouth. While your initial response might be to panic, it’s important to stay calm and keep your wits about you. Here are the steps you should take immediately after a tooth is knocked out or dislodged from where it’s supposed to be in your mouth.
Get the tooth back in the socket.
If the tooth is still in your mouth, then use your tongue to gently position it back in the socket. If you need to touch it with your fingers, only touch the crown (the part you normally see), not the root. If the tooth fell out, find it right away and handle it only by the crown. You can rinse it gently with plain, clear water, but don’t use anything else and don’t use your fingers to rub the root section. If for some reason you can’t get the tooth back into the socket, then hold it in your mouth and be careful not to damage the root with your teeth.
If you can’t put the tooth back in the person’s mouth (for example, if the injured person is a young child who might choke on it), then place it in a glass and cover it with milk, if possible.
Seek emergency care.
If the knocked-out tooth is your only injury, then get to an emergency dental clinic, your own dentist, or an endodontist as quickly as you can. It’s best to be seen within 30 minutes. The longer the tooth is out of the socket, the less likely it is that it will be able to be replaced.
Many times, however, the loss of a tooth is just one injury during a traumatic event. For example, if you were in auto accident or had some major trauma to your face, it’s very likely that you will have additional injuries. Go to the emergency room if this is the case. The ER should have a tooth preservation kit that can keep the tooth viable for longer than a glass of milk, and the doctors will be able to treat your more urgent injuries.
Talk to your dentist about replacing the tooth, if necessary.
While it’s best to keep your natural tooth if at all possible, there are options for replacing the tooth if you end up losing it. An implant, a bridge or a partial denture are all options worth considering. Your dentist will be able to advise you as to which is the best option for your specific case.
Please call us immediately if you have a tooth knocked out so we can help you decide the best course of action.
