Did you know that sources estimate that athletes and others who participate in close-contact activities may be up to 60 times more likely to damage their teeth? Unfortunately, sustaining a hard enough blow to the face or being hit at a certain angle can potentially even dislodge one or more of them.
If you’ve lost a tooth, you must act quickly if you hope to save it. Continue reading to learn about 4 steps you can take to handle your dental emergency and get the right help when you need it!
Step #1: Slow Any Bleeding
If you’ve been injured in such a way that one or more teeth fell out, you might still be bleeding or feeling hurt and scared. Taking a few deep breaths can steady your heart rate to help slow the blood flow and help you feel calmer.
Then, you can rinse your mouth gently with water to remove dirt and debris before placing a clean towel or gauze over the wound and pressing it in place firmly.
Step #2: Find the Tooth
Depending on the condition of your knocked-out tooth, there’s a chance that your emergency dentist might be able to place it back in your jaw to reintegrate with the bone tissue eventually. However, the cells on the roots usually only remain viable outside of your mouth for about 30 to 60 minutes, so you must act fast.
Try to locate the tooth, keeping in mind that bits might still be in your mouth, so be careful when swallowing. When you find it, try to avoid touching the roots and only handle it by the crown (the tooth-shaped portion).
Step #3: Store the Tooth Safely
You can rinse the dislodged tooth under gently running water to remove any dirt and debris, but please don’t scrub it clean with harsh soaps, bleach, or other products that can damage it. Instead, store it safely in a container with a small amount of your saliva or a little bit of milk to help preserve its condition until you arrive for your emergency dental visit.
If the tooth is in good enough condition, you might be able to gently press it back into its socket to help protect it until you arrive at your provider’s office.
Step #4: Contact Your Emergency Dentist
Next, if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to contact your emergency dentist to let them know what happened. Many providers offer same-day visits as well as options for sedation so that you don’t have to wait long for relief if you’ve sustained an injury that dislodged a tooth.
Your dentist will examine your mouth and may take X-rays or other scans and images to determine the extent of the damage and devise a customized treatment plan to restore your smile!
About the Practice
At Morgan Hill Dental Care, you benefit from a team of dentists eager to help families in the area build and maintain beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Chang, Dr. Afghani, and Dr. Looney collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages conveniently under one roof. They offer Saturday hours and same-day emergency visits to handle unexpected issues as quickly as possible, and provide multiple options for sedation so you don’t have to wait long for some much-needed relief. If your tooth was knocked out and you need help, you can contact the office on the website or by calling (408) 778-4838.