What To Do If You Lose a Tooth: An Emergency Guide
A knocked out tooth needs fast action and urgent treatment. If you want to save your tooth, you need to act quickly. But don’t panic, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to handle this particular dental emergency.
Step 1: Locate and Clean the Tooth
Find the tooth and carefully pick it up by the crown. Avoid touching the roots, as this can cause irreparable damage. Plug the drain and rinse the tooth in cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 2: Reinsert the Tooth
Once the tooth is clean, attempt to put it back in the socket. Bite down on some clean gauze to hold the tooth in place. Do not attempt to put a baby tooth back in the socket, as this could damage the permanent tooth underneath. If you are unable to get the tooth back into the socket successfully, proceed to Step 3. Otherwise skip to Step 4.
Step 3: Preserve the Tooth
If the tooth can’t be reinserted, place it in a cup of milk or saliva. If you happen to have a tooth preservation kit, that is the best option for storing the tooth until you can get to a dentist. Adults can hold the tooth in their mouth, such as in the cheek to preserve it, taking care not to swallow it. Do not try this with children.
Step 4: Contact Your Dentist
Time is of the essence when it comes to saving a knocked out tooth, so be sure to contact your dentist right away. Even if the incident occurs after hours, call and follow the instructions for emergencies. You will need to leave a message and someone will contact you shortly with further instructions. At most, a tooth can remain out of the mouth for about an hour (if stored properly) and still be reinserted.
Treatment for a Knocked Out Tooth
A tooth that has been knocked completely out of the socket may need a root canal. Trauma can cause internal damage that needs to be addressed in order for the tooth to remain healthy after reinsertion. The tooth will also need to be splinted to the other teeth for support while the gums and jaw heal and the socket tightens around the tooth. Depending on the extent of your injuries, a few stitches may be needed to close the gum tissue around the tooth.
Call Kalmar Family Dentistry
In case of a knocked out tooth or other dental emergency, call Kalmar Family Dentistry at 631-673-0670. During office hours we will make arrangements to see you as soon as possible. After hours please leave a message and someone will contact you shortly. If the situation becomes serious or life threatening, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies
What are the chances that a knocked out tooth can be saved?
In many cases a knocked out tooth can be reinserted with success. Time is one of the most important factors, as well as keeping the tooth moist with milk or saliva. The extent of the damage to the tooth will also affect the chances of successful reinsertion.
Does a knocked out baby tooth need treatment?
If a baby tooth is knocked out before it is ready to be naturally shed, you should seek treatment from your dentist. A space maintainer may be needed to hold the space open for the permanent tooth to come in when it is ready.