Although regularly brushing and flossing your teeth can prevent many oral issues, it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t ever have a dental emergency. Unpleasant surprises can happen at any time. For example, you could take a blow to the face during a sports activity that dislodges one unexpectedly.
It’s natural to panic if you’ve just had a tooth knocked out of your mouth, but try your best to remain calm. You’ll need to act quickly to preserve your tooth and safeguard your smile. If you’re not sure exactly what to do next, read on to learn 3 steps to take to successfully navigate your urgent situation.
Step #1: Find the Tooth
If your tooth is in good enough condition, your dentist may be able to put it back in its socket to reintegrate with your jawbone. If possible, try to find your missing pearly white so that you can take it with you when you leave for your appointment. Only handle it by the crown (the top) and not by the roots because you could damage the viable cells that are necessary for it to be replaced.
Depending on what caused your injury, there’s a chance that your pearly white was broken into pieces. If that’s the case, be careful not to swallow any that may still be in your mouth.
Step #2: Preserve Your Tooth
You’ll want to clean your tooth once you’ve found it. It may be dirty, so you can gently rinse it under running water. However, avoid using soap or other chemicals that can harm the roots. If it’s still whole, you can try gently placing it back in its socket and biting down to hold it in place. Otherwise, store it in a small container or baggy with a bit of milk or saliva. Don’t use tap water to keep it moist because it could kill the root surface cells.
Step #3: Contact Your Dentist
The next step is to contact your dentist if you haven’t done so already. It’s important to be seen within 30 minutes, or your tooth might not be usable. If your provider is farther away, you might want to seek assistance from someone close by. Many emergency dentists offer same-day appointments, so they can fit you in right away if something happens. They may also offer over-the-phone care instructions for you to follow until you arrive at your scheduled time.
Once you reach the office, your dentist can work with you to alleviate your discomfort and provide a treatment plan to either reinsert or replace your knocked-out tooth.
About the Author
Dr. Rebecca Long has years of experience helping patients enhance their lives by improving their oral health. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and then achieved her dental doctorate at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. She has since committed more than 600 hours to ongoing education and training to expand her knowledge and skills. She is experienced in providing a wide range of services under one roof, including emergency dentistry. If you’re in an urgent situation and need help, she offers same-day appointments so you don’t have to wait for relief. You can contact the office on the website or by calling (512) 328-0155.