What to Do for a Knocked-Out Tooth
January 29, 2021 2:31 pm
An unplanned dental issue can derail your plans and cause a lot of stress. For example, a knocked-out permanent tooth is a common dental emergency. In this blog post, we explain what to do for a knocked-out tooth!
Remain Calm
Your first instinct may be to panic. After all, you may have just fallen or gotten hit in the face and there may be blood! Take a few deep breaths and reassure yourself that everything will be OK. With quick intervention, Dr. Garrett will likely be able to save your tooth.
To increase your tooth’s chances of survival, there are several steps you can take:
- Be Careful When Rinsing the Tooth
- Gently Replace the Tooth
- Seek Immediate Dental Care
After your tooth gets knocked out, gently pick it up by its crown, which is the chewing surface. Avoid touching the tooth’s roots. Then, gently rinse the tooth with clean water or milk to clean off any dirt or debris. Do not rub your tooth with any sort of fabric.
If you feel comfortable doing so, gently place the tooth back in its socket. This might not be possible if it hurts too much or if the tooth is badly damaged. You can also put the tooth between your cheek and gums or in a container of milk. The key is to keep the tooth moist and protect it from further damage.
After a permanent tooth gets knocked out, time is of the essence. The quicker you receive quality dental care, the better the chance of saving your natural tooth. While we hope you never experience a knocked-out tooth, unexpected dental emergencies do happen. So if you lose an adult tooth, contact us immediately for an emergency appointment!
Call Gregory B. Garrett, DDS!
Our office offers comprehensive family dentistry. To ask our team any questions about our services, emergency hours, or how to handle other dental emergencies, please call us today!
