Whether your teeth have been damaged by a blow to the jaw, biting down on a hard object, or falling onto the floor, the experience has doubtlessly been a painful one. If your tooth has been knocked out, don’t panic. It can most likely be replaced as long as you follow a few simple steps.
Find the Tooth
The first step is, naturally, to find the tooth. This is the hardest part due to the size of teeth, especially if the tooth or tooth piece falls into a grassy area. Walking slowly and carefully, or even crawling, will make it easier to find the piece. Remember, though: the faster you find the tooth, the greater the probability is that it can be reattached. Do not grasp the tooth by the root. This could cause damage and make the tooth a total loss, even after recovery. Also, while searching, apply a cold compress to the your mouth and put pressure on a gauze pad in the injury. This keeps you from feeling the worst of the possible pain and bleeding. If possible, have somebody with a car on standby to rush you and your tooth to the dentist.
When the Tooth is Found
When you find the tooth, the best action is to replace it into the hole it left. This may sound unhygienic, but it helps keep the space open and allows the dentist to have a clearer idea of how the tooth fit into the victim’s mouth. Bite down on gauze to keep everything in place. If the tooth won’t fit, don’t force it back in. Put it in a small container with a little bit of milk or saliva to keep it moist and prevent further nerve damage. Dedicated containers for this procedure are available at most Maryland dentists’ offices, with solutions formulated to maximize the tooth’s survivability. If the situation is desperate, like if the loss happened away from home, keep the tooth between the lower lip and gum or under the tongue.
Tooth Safety
The missing or broken tooth is very sensitive to damage. Along with not touching the roots, one should absolutely avoid scraping the root to remove dirt or cleaning the tooth with standard disinfectants such as rubbing alcohol. Leave this part of saving the tooth to the dentist. Above all else, avoid waiting. In addition to losing the tooth, the injury could become infected, leading to further health problems. Contact a health professional immediately if you feel unusual pain or if you cannot close your jaws.
Have a Knocked Out Tooth? Need A Replacement?
Affinity Dental, your friendly Maryland dentist, will happily repair or replace any damaged teeth. Our dentists and dental technicians are swift, efficient, and dedicated to your health and safety. We’re open during morning, evening, and weekend hours for your convenience, just in case of an emergency. Call us at 410-719-7900 or go to our website if you have any questions or need our help.