Getting your tooth knocked out is not a fun situation for anyone. Teeth completely knocked out of their socket, or avulsed teeth, result in damage to the nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues.
Unfortunately, damaged nerves and blood vessels are irreparable. However, the good news is that proper emergency action can aid in the vitality of the knocked-out tooth itself. It is essential to go to the dentist St. Leonards as soon as possible, but there are steps you should take to preserve your tooth immediately after it is dislocated.
What should I do if I get my tooth knocked out?
Your chances of saving your tooth and having a successful treatment decrease with every minute that passes while your tooth is out of place. Timing and the proper handling of the knocked-out tooth are essential to its vitality.
If you have an avulsed tooth, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, it is essential to avoid further damaging the tooth. To better prepare yourself for a potential dental emergency, here are recommended steps from the American Association of Endodontists on what to do if you have an avulsed tooth.
1. Make sure to pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root.
Don’t leave your tooth behind. Locate the tooth immediately and handle it by the crown or chewing side.
2. Gently rinse any debris off the tooth with water.
Only use water to clean off the tooth. Never use soap or chemicals.
3. If possible, try to reposition the tooth in the socket immediately.
Gently push the tooth back into the socket right away.
4. Ensure that the tooth is kept moist at all times.
If you can’t reimplant the tooth, soak it in milk or an emergency teeth preservation solution.
5. Most importantly, see a dentist within 30 minutes of the injury.
What happens during my emergency visit to the dentist?
At your emergency visit, your dentist will assess you and treat any facial injuries if present. If your tooth is reimplanted in time and successfully, you may not need any other treatments after the initial emergency visit to your doctor. Your dentist may take x-rays and will check if your tooth is reimplanted correctly.
If your tooth is loose, the dentist may splint the tooth to neighboring teeth for added support. In the case of unsuccessful reimplantation or a lost tooth, the dentist can replace the avulsed tooth with first a denture. According to Oral Health Foundation, once the socket has healed, you can have a bridge or dental implant. Your dentist should examine the tooth again in three to six months, and you should continue to self-monitor for signs of infection.
Getting a tooth knocked out is a stressful situation to find yourself in, but you should have success at reimplantation as long as you act quickly and carefully. Remember, the essential thing you can do if you get a tooth knocked out is go to your dentist immediately.
Article written by Jesse Hughes
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.