If you’ve knocked out your tooth, you need to act quickly! The faster you recover your tooth and bring it to your dentist at Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics, the more likely it is that you can salvage the tooth! Here are a few steps you should take to take care of your tooth and, hopefully, restore it back into place.
First, recover your tooth.
If you’ve lost your tooth, it is important that you don’t panic. Simply recover the tooth if possible. If your tooth has fallen out of your mouth, make sure you pick it up by the crown (the hard white shell). Do not pick it up by the fleshy root of your tooth, or it could potentially cause additional damage.
Next, carefully rinse off your tooth.
You’ll want to carefully clean your tooth off, particularly if has fallen completely out of your mouth. However, do not use plain tap water to do so. Instead, use a saline solution, your own saliva, or whole milk. These liquids are much more effective in cleaning and preserving your tooth than water. If needed, you can make your own saline solution using just a cup of water and a ¼ teaspoon of salt. However, if needed, you can use plain water as a last resort. As you’re rinsing, make sure you don’t scrub or wipe off your tooth! Just gently and carefully rinse the crown and root of the tooth to avoid removing or damaging any important tissue.
Place the tooth back into the socket.
We know this may seem unpleasant, but placing the tooth back into the empty socket is the best way to protect the root while you are en route to your dentist. Simply insert the tooth into its original place in your gums. Then, bite down on a clean cloth or medical gauze to hold it in place. If you have difficulty reinserting the tooth, don’t try to force it. Instead, you can carry it to the dentist.
If reinserting the tooth doesn’t work, store it safely.
If it is painful or too difficult to reinsert the tooth, then there are other (albeit less effective) ways to carry it to the dentist safely. Place the tooth in a plastic bag filled with your saline solution, whole milk, or even saliva. It is important that you do not use water for this step, as it will not preserve your tooth well enough and could limit your chances of restoring the tooth. If you do not have a bag on hand, you can also place it between your cheek and gums if necessary. Ultimately, the goal is to quickly get to your dentist with your tooth intact.
Call Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics.
Once your tooth is safe, you’ll want to visit your dentist straight away! Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics offers emergency dentistry services to help you in cases like this. Simply call our office and make your way over as soon as possible. If necessary, though, you can also visit the nearest emergency room as well. By getting to your dentist within the hour, you may have a chance of restoring your tooth back to health!
If you’re having a dental emergency, we’re here to help! Call Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics today.