What to Do with a Knocked-Out Tooth

Unfortunately, dental emergencies can strike at almost any moment. You don’t have to play a high impact, contact sport for them to happen. An accidental fall, a sleepy trip to the bathroom, or even a stray ball in the dog park could all lead to tooth loss.

Teeth are extremely fragile when they’re no longer in the mouth. Swift action is necessary in the event of a knocked-out tooth, so familiarize yourself with these tips to stay ready in the case of a dental emergency.

Find the Tooth!

If your tooth is knocked out, it’s imperative to find it immediately. If the tooth is whole, handle it by the crown and never the root. The crown is the part that’s visible when the tooth is in your mouth.

If the tooth isn’t knocked out whole, locate as many pieces as possible and gather them. Once you’ve found your tooth, the next step is to…

Preserve the Tooth

When a tooth is knocked out, it loses access to blood and nutrients and will quickly begin to degrade and die. Rinse the tooth with cold water if it’s dirty, but do not scrub or remove any tissue fragments from the tooth.

Place the tooth back into its socket if you can. If you can’t, store the tooth in milk, saline solution, or a product like “Save-A-Tooth” while you…

Call Your Dentist!

Your best shot at having the tooth reimplanted is if you can get to the dentist within an hour after the accident. After the first hour, it becomes increasingly less likely to be able to save your tooth. Call your emergency dentist as soon as possible during a dental emergency.

Emergency Dentist in Louisville, Kentucky!

When disaster strikes, stay calm and be prepared. Swift action is the best way to protect your health. Have a plan for what to do and who to call during a dental emergency.

If you’re seeking an affordable, friendly emergency dentist, call Springhurst Hills Dentistry today at 502-208-7672! We’re here for your routine and emergency dental needs.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Lan Tran, Springhurst Hills Dentistry