You are enjoying time spent outdoors with your family, hiking along one of Arizona’s beautiful mountains when suddenly, you trip and find yourself face down on the ground. When you rise, you discover that you now have a knocked-out tooth. While this situation might naturally cause many to panic, there are steps you can take to manage the pain, avoid further damage, and get the help you need. Read on to discover what you can do to save your smile.
What Should You Do When Dealing with a Knocked-Out Tooth?
There are several steps you should plan to take if you ever find that you are faced with a knocked-out tooth. These include:
- Calling your dentist to tell them about the situation so that they can schedule an emergency appointment for you to come in right away.
- Retrieving the tooth, holding it only by the crown, and if possible, gently (and quickly) rinsing it off with water to clear any dirt and debris.
- Reinserting the tooth into the vacated socket, if possible, and biting down softly to hold the tooth in place.
- Placing the tooth in a container of saliva (or milk if it is handy) if you are unsuccessful in placing the tooth back into its socket.
- Getting to your dentist’s office as quickly as possible so that they can try to save the tooth.
What Can a Dentist Do to Help?
How the dentist handles your knocked-out tooth will ultimately be determined by the viability of the tooth once you arrive. If you make it to their dental office within an hour of the incident, there is a possibility that they will be able to reattach it.
This can be accomplished by using a splint and reinserting the tooth into its socket. It is held into place using one of the teeth on either side to keep it stable until it reintegrates with the gum tissues.
If the tooth is no longer viable and cannot be saved, the only option is then to replace it. There are three options that your dentist will go over with you – dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants. Your oral and overall health as well as your jawbone density will all be considered when determining the right method of treatment, but you can also expect that your preference and budget will also be considerable factors.
No matter how your dentist plans to treat your knocked-out tooth, it is best to seek immediate help for this type of dental emergency. Getting in to see a dental expert right away gives you the best chance of saving your natural smile for the future.
About the Author
Dr. John Ludu and his team at Devoted Family Dental are here to save smiles. Dental emergencies can happen anywhere at any time, which is why we are dedicated to providing timely care to those in need. If you or a loved one are dealing with a knocked-out tooth, our team is here and ready to address the problem in a way that will work best for your smile. Contact us at (623) 444-6222 to learn how we can help.