Anyone who’s ever experienced this situation understands how overwhelming and frightening it can feel. However, if you’ve knocked out one of your pearly whites, then you’ll need to take the right steps to raise your chance of saving it. By staying calm and acting swiftly, you might just preserve your tooth long enough to visit your dentist for emergency dentistry. Keep reading to learn the exact steps to take when knocking out a tooth.
5 Steps to Follow After Knocking Out a Tooth
Once you’ve calmed down after the initial incident, you’ll want to do the following to increase your chances of saving your tooth:
- Locate the tooth: Only pick up your tooth by the crown (or top side). Touching the roots can potentially ruin the soft tissue or cause further damage.
- Rinse your tooth: Carefully wash away any dirt or debris from your tooth with warm water. Do NOT use any hand soap or cleaning products, and don’t scrub it or dry it off either. You’ll need to keep your tooth moist to preserve it.
- Place the tooth back in: If possible, try inserting your tooth back into its socket. You can do this by pushing it in gently with your fingers and keeping it in place by softly biting down.
- Keep it moist: If it isn’t possible to put it back in your mouth, then you’ll need to keep it moist with another method. You can try holding it between your cheek and gums, but only if you won’t accidentally swallow the tooth. You can also store it in a clean container of saline solution or milk. Do NOT keep it in water, as this can ruin the root surface cells over time.
- Visit your emergency dentist: Make sure to see your dentist within 30-60 minutes of the incident. Waiting too long to schedule an appointment can reduce the possibility of saving your tooth significantly.
What Happens If Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved?
Even if you implement the above steps, there could be a chance that you’re tooth can’t be salvaged. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be left with a gap in your smile. In fact, not replacing a missing tooth can lead to other oral health problems, such as misalignment, jawbone deterioration, and future tooth loss. If your dentist can’t save it, then they’ll discuss your best options for replacing it, such as with a dental bridge or dental implant.
Knocking out a tooth can be scary and unsettling. Even so, by taking the right steps quickly and calmly, you can be sure to boost your chance of renewing your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Todd Balington has over a decade of experience in dentistry and remains passionate about delivering reliable and life-changing dental care. He offers same-day appointments and provides both emergency and sedation dentistry to help save teeth while keeping patients as comfortable as possible. If you’ve knocked out a tooth and need urgent treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call our team at 940-383-3300.