Knocking out your tooth can be scary. Whether it happened because of a sports injury or an accident, it can be difficult to know exactly what you need to do to save your tooth, especially while you’re in a state of shock and panic. Should you just put it back into its socket? Do you need attention from your dentist? If you act calmly and quickly, you can increase the likelihood of keeping your knocked-out tooth in Flower Mound alive long enough so your emergency dentist can help.
Should I Try to Deal with a Knocked-Out Tooth without Help?
If you find yourself in a situation when you have a knocked-out tooth, you can and should put it back into the socket if you are able. However, you can’t just go on as if everything is normal afterward. This only helps to temporarily keep the tooth alive until you can make it to the dental office. Your tooth will not stay in place permanently without help from a dental professional.
What Steps Should I Take to Save a Knocked-Out Tooth?
To save your tooth, remember these tips:
- Locate Your Tooth: You need to find your tooth and pick it up by the crown. Don’t touch the root because you don’t want to cause any additional damage to the soft tissue.
- Clean Your Tooth: If you see any dirt, gently rinse it off with water. Don’t use soap or any chemicals. Avoid scrubbing or drying off the tooth. It needs to be moist for the root to stay alive.
- Put the Tooth in Its Socket: If you can, you should place the tooth back into the socket where it belongs. Gently push it in with your fingers and hold it in your mouth by softly biting down on it.
- Keep Your Tooth Moist: If you can’t put your tooth back into your mouth, you need to keep it moist another way. You could hold it in your cheek or place it in a container of milk. Don’t use water because the surface cells of the root cannot tolerate this for very long.
- See Your Emergency Dentist: Within an hour, you should see your emergency dentist in Flower Mound. If you wait any longer, it will be much less likely that the tooth can be recovered.
What If Your Tooth Cannot Be Saved?
If you get to the emergency dentist and they determine that your tooth cannot be saved, this doesn’t mean that you will have to go on without a tooth for the rest of your life. With modern dental technology, there are several different tooth replacement options out there. For instance, your dentist may recommend that you get a dental implant or bridge to fill in the gap depending on your needs.
Having a knocked-out tooth in Flower Mound can be scary, but if you have a plan of action, you can ensure the future of your smile. After all, an emergency dentist is trained to deal with situations like these. You just need to make wise decisions until you get to their office.
About the Author
Dr. Rodger Song has been working hard for the smiles of his patients for three decades since he earned his dental doctorate from Baylor College of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the American Orthodontic Society. If you ever suffer from a knocked-out tooth in Flower Mound, Dr. Song is ready to help with a same-day emergency appointment, as well as replacement options like a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant. You can schedule an appointment or consultation on his website or by calling (972) 906-9797.