Health & Fitness
Accidentally Knock out a Tooth, Stay Calm
What should you do should if you accidentally knock out a tooth? First, stay calm. Then read these tips to find out how you should care for the tooth while in transit to your dentist.
Last week, a friend’s child had a bike accident and a permanent front tooth was knocked out. Times like this call for cool and calm thinking.
If the tooth is re-inserted in less than an hour, with the nerves and the blood vessels intact, there is a good chance that it will be successful. Here’s what you should do.
1. Stay Calm. Your child is probably scared and in pain. It is important for you to stay calm and reassuring. And, call your dentist.
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2. Don’t clean the tooth – You don’t want to disturb the nerves and blood vessels on the tooth. Pick the tooth up by the crown.
3. An adult can try putting the tooth into his/her mouth. Be careful not to swallow the tooth, but an adult outside working or playing may not have anything to keep the tooth moist, so your mouth may work great in the short term.
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4 If you are at home, put the tooth in a cup with milk or clean water.
5. Get to your dentist. Try to get the child and the tooth to the dentist within an hour. Call ahead to be sure that someone will be there to help you. You may be directed to another dentist or even to a hospital emergency room.
6. At the dentist’s office. The dentist will carefully clean the tooth put it back into the socket and may use a splint to hold the tooth in place. The tooth may require a root canal in the future. If the tooth cannot be saved, all is not lost. Removable and permanent replacements can be made and an implant may be the ultimate solution.
Injuries to teeth, both baby teeth and permanent ones are very common. A broken tooth needs to be restored and a discolored tooth needs to be watched for swelling or pain.
Regardless of the type of injury, call your dentist who can give you advice specific to your situation.
And remember to wear a mouth guard when playing sports, biking or other times when injuries may occur.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for the advice of your dentist. If you have a question about this article or another medical condition, please consult your dentist or other qualified healthcare professional.
