Proper preventative care can help you avoid many potential dental emergencies, but sadly, some are unavoidable. For instance, even if you consistently clean your teeth at home and visit your dentist regularly, you might sustain an injury or blow to the face that knocks a tooth out of your mouth.
If you’ve lost a permanent tooth, you’re probably in pain and unsure what to do next. You might also have questions, like whether you should put it back in its socket. Continue reading to learn more about how you should handle this urgent scenario and if it’s safe to reseat it yourself!
What Should I Do If a Tooth is Knocked Out?
Most people feel anxious or scared when they realize a pearly white has been dislodged, but try to take a few deep breaths to calm your heart rate. Acting quickly to save your tooth is essential, so you’ll need to think clearly. If it’s allowed to dry for 60 minutes or more, the chances of successfully reintegrating it decrease significantly.
Therefore, the first thing you should do is contact your emergency dentist. If you don’t have one, a brief online search can help you find a provider with same-day emergency appointments near you.
Next, try to find the missing tooth. When you pick it up, handle the crown (the tooth-shaped portion) gently because touching the roots can destroy still-viable cells. You can rinse it in cold, running water for no more than 10 seconds (the chemicals it’s treated with might also damage the roots), then store it in a small container with a bit of milk or your saliva to preserve it.
Can I Put My Knocked-Out Tooth Back in Its Socket?
Many patients falsely believe they can skip a trip to the dentist if they can put their pearly white back in its spot. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Professional oversight is necessary to ensure it’s properly cleaned and placed back into the socket to successfully reintegrate with your jawbone while preventing infection.
However, it can sometimes be helpful to reposition it back in place if it’s not overly damaged to protect it until you arrive for your emergency appointment. Doing so can also shield the underlying nerves and bone tissue that may have been exposed when it was knocked out. This is usually only recommended if the tooth is in good condition and doesn’t have jagged edges that could lacerate your gums.
Now that you know more about handling a dislodged tooth, you can act fast to save your smile!
About the Practice
At Kristin B. Petulla, DDS Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, you benefit from two experts who work together to conveniently provide a wide array of services under one roof. Dr. Kristin Petulla and Dr. Jennifer Kazemi are dedicated to providing gentle, holistic care to improve your dental condition. They combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’ve had an emergency and need immediate attention, you can contact the office online or call (856) 983-4846.