Dealing with a knocked-out tooth is not something anyone ever plans for. Instead, it happens when you least expect it. A fall, a fight, a missed catch while playing baseball with family on a Sunday afternoon - with just the right impact, your tooth can be knocked right out of your mouth.
So, can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
More formally referred to as an avulsion, a knocked-out tooth can be saved as long as you act fast. If you find yourself in this situation, here’s everything you need to know.
Find Your Tooth
Depending on how or where your tooth gets knocked out, it may be tough to find. Once you realize that your tooth is missing, it is time to act fast. Once you find your tooth, carefully pick it up only by touching the crown. Do not touch the root (the part of the tooth you wouldn’t normally see above the gum line).
If necessary, gently and carefully rinse it off to remove any dirt and debris. Do not use any soap or toothpaste or any other chemicals. And don’t dry it off, either.
Store the Tooth Properly
Storing the tooth properly is vital for saving it. You generally have less than an hour for the tooth to get addressed by a dentist and placed. If you properly store it, it will often be able to be saved - even if you go beyond this time.
Therefore, once you find your tooth and clean it off, you will want to place it back into its socket. If you are unable to do that, milk is the next best choice. Place the tooth in a cup of milk or, as an alternative, a pool of your saliva. Water should be used as a very last resort.
Do not wrap it in a napkin or other cloth - or even stick it in your pocket. This will dry out and impact its ability to be saved.
Contact Your Dentist
Finally, contact your dentist right away. You may have the urge to go to urgent care or even the ER when dealing with dental trauma and a knocked-out tooth. But, it is unlikely anything will be able to be done to save your tooth at these locations.
Your best option is to contact your dentist immediately so that you can be seen as soon as possible and your tooth can be properly cared for.
Benefits of Saving Your Natural Tooth
While there are tooth replacements available, such as dental implants, nothing compares to your natural tooth. By taking the steps to do what you can to save it, you will avoid having to invest in an alternative.
With your natural tooth, you get:
- The best functionality
- A beautiful appearance
- The opportunity to maintain your facial structure
- A healthy jawbone
Knocked-Out Tooth? Call Bella Dental
At Bella Dental, we understand that the unexpected can happen at any moment - and that includes a knocked-out tooth. That’s why we offer emergency dental services to our patients. We are even here to help you through it during non-business hours. When you have an emergency, just call.
Dr. Alex Shor: 732-614-5576
Dr. Cristina Kavendek: 908-461-0498
Dr. Michael Alkon: 908-670-8454
Dr. Christopher Cermenello: 347-495-8992