Proper Emergency Action Can Help Save A Knocked Out Tooth

Cartoon boxing punch to the face, tooth knocked out

Dental emergencues happen. If tooth trauma happens to you, our team at Dental Partners of Boston wants to be sure you feel prepared. That’s why we’re sharing some tips on what you can do to help save a tooth that’s been knocked out.

Do you have a dental emergency?

A Tooth Can Be Saved If You Act Quickly And Properly

It’s possible for a knocked-out tooth to be “replanted”, but taking the right steps immediately can significantly increase the chances of saving it. Here’s is what you should do and why following these instructions is crucial:

Stay Calm: Keeping calm helps you think clearly and act quickly. Panic can lead to mistakes that could further damage the tooth or surrounding tissues.

Handle the Tooth Properly: Recover the tooth (or fragments) of the tooth. To prevent damage, grab the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the roots. Recovering the tooth by holding it by the crown prevents damage to the delicate root and prevents introducing bacteria from your fingers. Touching the root can harm the cells necessary for a successful reattachment.

Reinsert the Tooth if Possible: Do your best to insert the tooth back into the socket. Bite down on gauze or use your finger to hold it in place. Gauze is helpful if the socket is bleeding. Attempting to place the tooth back into the socket as soon as possible helps keep the root cells viable and improves the likelihood of successful reattachment. Biting down on gauze helps keep the tooth in place and controls bleeding.

Submerge in Milk, Saline, or Spit: If reinserting the tooth isn’t possible, keep it in milk, saline solution, or your own spit to help preserve the root cells. Don’t scrub, clean, or place the tooth in water. Water (tap or distilled) should be avoided because of the chlorine and pH levels that can break down the tooth cells. Water can also cause the root cells to swell and burst if left in the water too long, reducing the chance of successful reattachment.

Seek Immediate Professional Help: Contact us and let us know what’s happening! Contacting us or going to the emergency room promptly ensures that you get professional care as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the higher the chances of saving the tooth. Act promptly, but safely.

Safe Transportation for Children: If a child’s tooth is knocked out, a responsible adult should handle the tooth to ensure it’s cared for properly and to prevent any accidental ingestion or further injury to the child

By following these instructions, you can maximize the likelihood of saving a knocked-out tooth, preserving your natural smile and avoiding the need for more extensive dental procedures.

Contact Us If You Have An Emergency

Remember that we’re here to help. Keep our contact information on hand. No matter the dental emergency, contact us right away! We’ll work together to make sure you receive the quickest and most appropriate care. Even if our office is closed, we’ll forward you to your dentist or the person on call.

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