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Take These Urgent Actions To Save A Knocked-Out Tooth

Posted on 4/25/2022 by Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS

When an accident occurs, you may have your tooth knocked out. It could be a road accident or contact sports activity that leads to the injury. As extreme as the injury may be, it does not necessarily mean you have lost your tooth forever. Periodontal or gum cells left on the root of the tooth can regenerate and restore their attachment with the gum ligament responsible for holding teeth in place. However, how quickly you act determines if the cells will or will not regenerate. The longer you wait after the tooth comes out of its socket, the more likely the cells will die. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to save your tooth.

Find the Tooth

You need to locate the tooth and clean it. This is the first priority. Cleaning it ensures that any debris is removed. Use clean water to clean the teeth and avoid touching the root because you may transfer bacteria or other pathogens onto it. Handle your tooth by the crown, which is the visible area when it is in the socket.

Insert the Tooth into the Socket

While still holding your tooth by the crown, try to insert it back into its socket. The root end goes in there. Make sure you orient the crown properly. Do not worry about inserting it right, your follow-up emergency appointment with a dentist will handle that. Nonetheless, you have to put some pressure to get the root in the socket where it seats firmly.

Get to a Dentist ASAP

Immediately, rush to a dentist so that the position of the tooth is adjusted. The dentist will also splint the tooth in order to secure it properly while it is healthy.

These actions you take on the scene of the accident or injury make a big difference in saving your tooth or losing it. You just have to act quickly because the sooner you begin the first aid for saving a knocked-out tooth, the higher the odds for the long-term survival of the tooth. To get more information on what to do after a dental emergency, contact us for an appointment.

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