If you have experienced an incident that resulted in a tooth being knocked out then it may be a dental emergency that should be treated as soon as possible.
What are the most common causes of knocked-out teeth?
Knocked-out teeth are commonly the result of an impact to the jaw or face.
If you are dealing with knocked-out teeth, take the following steps:
1. Find the tooth and pick it up avoiding contact with the roots.
Immediately after you lose your tooth, attempt to retrieve it. Carefully pick the tooth up by the crown (the part exposed above the gum line when it is in your mouth).
2. Gently wipe all debris from the tooth.
If the tooth is dirty you should gently wipe the debris or dirt from the tooth, if absolutely necessary you can use plain water. Avoid using chemicals or soap. Do not scrub or dry the tooth, or wrap it in cloth or tissue, as any of these actions may result in damage.
3. Place the tooth back in the socket if you are able to.
Try putting the tooth back in its socket right away. You can try to gently push it in (continuing to touch the crown only, not the root). Another option is to try positioning it above the socket.
Close your mouth slowly to push it in. Using a finger, hold the tooth in place. You might also bite down on it.
4. Ensure that you keep the tooth moist.
If you’re unable to place the tooth back in its socket, it must be kept moist until you get to the dentist. Place it in a cup of milk, or keep it in your mouth next to your cheek. Avoid storing it in regular tap water, as the root surface cells will not be able to tolerate water for an extended period of time.
Using this method of preserving a tooth may increase the likelihood of your dentist being able to replace it.
5. Try to see the dentist within 30 minutes.
Ideally, you should go to your dentist’s office within 30 minutes of losing any teeth. However, it may still be possible for your dentist to save a tooth if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.
How can I prepare for a dental emergency at home?
Dental emergencies can happen any time of the day or night. There are some things you can do at home to prepare in case you experience one.
Keep these things around the house at all times, as they are handy to have in a dental emergency:
- Over-the-counter painkillers (such as ibuprofen)
- Ice pack
- Small container with a lid to preserve a knocked-out tooth
- Gauze
- The phone number of our dentist’s office
Type "dentist near me" into your favourite search engine, and our information will likely come up. As soon as you feel safe and are able to call our office, do so. We will make room in our schedule to see you as soon as possible.
Have you suddenly found yourself in a situation in which you have now lost a tooth and require treatment from a dental professional?
Get in touch with a dentist today to have your dental emergency addressed as quickly as possible.
