Broken, Cracked or Chipped Tooth 
Denture Repair 
Filling, Crown or Veneer Fell Out 
Root Canal Treatment 
Tooth Extractions 
Wisdom Teeth Removal 
Bleeding From Mouth 
Jaw Pain 
Toothaches 
Tooth Abscess 
Tooth Knocked Out 
All-On-4 Dental Implants 
Regular Dental Checkup 
Dental Crowns and Bridges 
Dental Implants 
Dental Veneers 
Fillings and Sealants 
Full Mouth Reconstruction 
Teeth Whitening Tooth Knocked Out
A knocked out tooth can be saved if the right steps are taken. Getting the to the dentist as soon as possible and properly handling the lost tooth are crucial if it is going to be put back in.
Can A Knocked-Out Tooth Be Saved?
It is possible to reattach knocked-out teeth if the right steps are taken. Following the steps below and contacting a dentist immediately are the best things you can do. Losing a permanent tooth, or even a baby tooth knocked out, can cause significant issues. A knocked-out tooth will leave a gap which can lead to bone loss, shifting of other teeth, and difficulty chewing. A dental implant or similar restorative procedure will also be more expensive than reattaching the knocked-out tooth. This is why it is important to act quickly if you’ve had a tooth knocked out.
Call Urgent Dental in Matthews, NC
What To Do If You Have A Knocked-Out Tooth
- Don’t touch the roots or top of the tooth. The roots of your teeth are delicate, only pick up and handle your lost tooth by the sides and chewing surface.
- Clean the tooth gently. You can use water or milk to gently rinse the tooth. Do not try to rub, scrub, dry off, or use soaps or chemicals to clean your lost tooth.
- Put the tooth back in the socket, if possible. Once gently cleaned you should try to gently replace the tooth, handling only the sides and bottom. Once replaced you can softly bite down to keep it there. Make sure your tooth is oriented properly and not backward. Do not try to force it if it won’t fit properly.
- If you can’t put it back, keep it moist. Putting the tooth in a glass of milk to soak is a great option. Alternately you can softly hold the tooth between your gums and cheek. Though this shouldn’t be done with younger children who could swallow the tooth. Don’t use tap water to soak a knocked-out tooth because it could damage the roots. If you don’t have cow’s milk and can’t hold your tooth in its socket or in your cheek, spitting into a container and soaking the tooth in saliva is the next best option.
- Call a dentist. Getting to a dentist as quickly as possible is critical. It is possible to reattach a tooth an hour or more after it has been knocked out. However but the sooner you can see a dentist the better the chances are of reattaching it.
FAQ
-
How are knocked-out teeth reattached?
Dentists will clean your tooth and ensure it is properly positioned. After reinserting your tooth they will splint, or attach, the knocked-out tooth to adjacent teeth while the roots repair themselves. If your tooth fell on the ground and you placed it back into the socket, you may also be at risk for tetanus, which will be assessed. A root canal may be necessary as well to ensure proper reattachment.
-
Why put a knocked-out tooth in milk?
Milk has proteins that maintain the natural pH balance that teeth are used to in the mouth. Cows milk also has sugars and other components that combat bacteria and help protect the roots. Soaking your teeth in water can cause the roots to swell up and burst whereas milk does not. This is why if you can’t keep the tooth in place in its socket before having it permanently reattached, milk is the best option.
Call Us or Learn More About Urgent Dental
If you have more questions about knocked out or damaged teeth or would like to schedule an appointment contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
