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More than 5 million teeth are knocked out every year. Although it’s not an uncommon occurrence, when you or someone you know is in this situation, it can be extremely stressful. Thankfully, just because your tooth gets knocked out doesn’t necessarily mean it’s lost for good. Remaining calm and quickly taking emergency action is the key to successfully replanting your tooth. Keep on reading for 5 steps you can take to save your tooth and preserve your smile for years to come.
After Knocking out a Tooth: 5 Immediate Steps
Your tooth can likely be replaced successfully if you enact an emergency action plan immediately. Don’t panic, but make sure to work swiftly. Keep in mind that you should not touch the root of your tooth to avoid additional damage to the soft tissue. Here are the 5 immediate steps you should take to increase the likelihood of saving your tooth:
- Find your tooth – Don’t panic! Locate your tooth and only pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface).
- Rinse your tooth –If your tooth was dirtied, gently rinse it off with water or milk. Do not use any additional cleaners and do not scrub or dry the tooth off after.
- Put it back in the socket – If possible, it’s best to place your tooth back in its socket. Gently put it in the socket and hold it in your mouth by softly biting down.
- Keep it moist – If you can’t put it back into the socket, you need to keep the tooth moist using a different method. You can transport it in a glass of milk. Do not submerge it in water, salt water, mouthwash, or alcohol.
- Visit an emergency dentist – The key to your tooth’s survival is making it to an emergency dentist or room within an hour of your injury. It’s even better if you can visit a dentist within 30 minutes. If you wait any longer, your chances of saving your tooth decrease significantly.
In the days and weeks following your emergency dental appointment, make sure to check in with your dentist from time to time and keep up with your regular cleanings and checkups to ensure your replant’s success.
How Can I Avoid Getting a Tooth Knocked Out?
Your tooth can get knocked out in an accident or blow to your face. If you are actively participating in sports, particularly contact sports in which you have to get very physical, your risk of losing a tooth is increased.
Talk to your dentist about getting a custom-fit mouthguard! This rubber-like cover fits over your teeth and cushions your teeth from impact.
About the Practice
Dr. Zahir Siddiqui and Dr. Sumit Chanana provide quality dental care to protect patient oral health. Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry knows that in a dental emergency, time is of the essence. As such, the practice offers same-day emergency appointments to get your stress-free smile back. Contact Drs. Siddiqui and Chanana at their website or by phone at (262) 672-2393 if you want more information on how to handle a dental emergency.