According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), over five million teeth are knocked out, or avulsed, every year. Based on these figures and how vulnerable we are to accidents and periodontal diseases, sooner or later, you might find yourself with a knocked out or avulsed tooth.
And if this happens, our dentists here at Rainier Smiles Dentistry recommend you do these five things right away.
1. Save Your Tooth
The good news is that knocked-out teeth can be salvaged. So how do you save your tooth? If your tooth is avulsed in one piece, try slipping it back in the socket and hold it there. If your tooth is chipped or broken, pick up all the pieces and take them to your dentist ASAP. Remember, the more time your tooth stays outside the gum, the less its chance of surviving, so act fast!
2. Clean Your Tooth if Needed
If the tooth is dirty, hold it by the crown and rinse it. Put it inside a cup of fresh milk or saline water. This will help keep the tooth alive and hydrated. If you don't have any milk or saline-based solutions, then rinse the tooth in tap water for about ten seconds. Again, don't scrub the tooth or wipe it off, as this could result in irreversible damage.
3. Do Not Touch The Root Of Your Tooth
When cleaning, restoring, or picking the tooth, avoid touching the roots as that could damage important periodontal ligaments or membranes. Instead, handle the tooth by the crown — the chewing surface of the tooth. Also, do not try to restore or hold the tooth with sharp or pointed tools.
4. Store Your Tooth In a Safe Place
After cleaning the tooth, find a safe place to store it. First, you can "store" it in your mouth (between your cheek and gum). If that doesn't work, you can put the tooth in milk or a saline-based solution.
However, before storing the tooth in another place, try to put it back into the gum with the roots first. In most cases, it will slip right in. But whatever you do, don't try to force it in because that will lead to more damage.
5. Visit Rainier Smiles Dentistry Immediately - See Your Dentist Within 30 Minutes
Get to the dentist as soon as you can. It is best to see the dentist within 30 minutes of the injury. Don't forget to bring the tooth with you to the dentist's office. Also, where possible, call and book an appointment before you get there. The Tacoma, WA dentists here at Rainier Smiles Dentistry are always ready to help. Please feel free to call us at (253) 565-1695 Calls on Click if you have any dental issues.
Contact Us Now If You've Knocked Out Your Tooth
Time is an important element in the survival of the tooth. Every second the tooth is out of the gum, the less chance it has of surviving. It's important to act swiftly and with a lot of care to increase the chances of saving your tooth.
Do you have a dental emergency? Contact us at Rainier Smiles Dentistry today for high-quality and reliable dental care.