Data from the American Association of Endodontists estimates that roughly 5 million people suffer from a knocked-out tooth each year. This condition, also referred to as an avulsed tooth, is a serious dental emergency that merits prompt treatment. What should you do if you ever find yourself with a knocked-out tooth in Plymouth? This blog post offers some practical guidance.
Find the Tooth and Place It Back in Its Socket
When a tooth gets knocked out, one of the first things you should try to do is find it. Admittedly, this might be tricky if you were playing sports in a grassy area, but the sooner you locate it, the more likely it is that it can be successfully replanted into your mouth. While you are searching for the tooth, call your emergency dentist so they can arrange their schedule to tend to you as soon as possible.
When you find the tooth, be sure to touch it only on its crown (the portion that you normally see above the gumline). Gently rinse of any debris or dirt that is stuck to it. Then, attempt to put it back into its socket. Here are a few important details to keep in mind as you do so:
- After the tooth is in place, biting down on gauze can help to keep it there. It can also aid in controlling bleeding.
- If pain or other factors prevent you from putting the tooth into its socket, do not try to force it into place. Instead, use other methods to preserve it.
Preserving an Avulsed Tooth
If you are unable to put an avulsed tooth back into its socket, it is important that you find another way to keep it moist. Letting it dry out will cause its cells to die faster, reducing the chances that it can be saved.
Here are some guidelines to keep in mind while you are preserving an avulsed tooth:
- If possible, do not place it in plain water.
- Do not place it in any acidic or sugary beverage, such as a soda or a sports drink.
- Place it in milk if you have any on hand. In many cases, milk can preserve a knocked-out tooth for at least a few hours.
- If milk is not available, you could use a tooth preservation kit from a local pharmacy.
Saving an Avulsed Tooth
When you arrive at your dentist’s office, they might be able to save the tooth by splinting back into its socket. As you heal, your body should reintegrate it, and it could eventually once again serve as a functional, solid member of your smile.
However, keep in mind that there is no guarantee that an avulsed tooth can be saved, even if you do everything right. If that turns out to be true in your case, your dentist will tend to any damage to your oral tissues and talk to you about replacing the lost tooth with a prosthetic.
If you ever suffer from an avulsed tooth, act fast to place it back in its socket or use other means to preserve it. Your quick thinking could help you maintain a complete smile!
Meet the Practice
The doctors at Aveni Dental Professionals provide skilled, courteous, and empathetic care to the Plymouth community. They are often able to accept emergency cases on a same-day basis. If you ever have questions about how to deal with an oral health crisis, contact us at 508-217-7454.