Getting a tooth knocked out is not just a frightening and upsetting experience, it’s also the worst scenario possible in many folk’s minds. The proper term for a knocked-out tooth is an “avulsed” tooth and you’re right to stress about it as it’s one of the most serious dental emergencies in the book. That being said, while it’s serious, it’s hardly irreversible. The damage can be fixed and if you can think and act quickly it’s entirely possible that your real tooth could be saved.
What Happens When a Tooth Is Knocked-Out?
Regardless of how it was bonked out of your head, the biological effect is the exact same nearly every time. It’s not just the tooth that takes a beating, the nerves, supporting tissue and blood vessels associated with the tooth are also damaged goods now. Thus, if you have an avulsed tooth that’s going to be saved, you’ll need a root canal stat so that the bone can easily reattach to the root of your tooth once it’s replaced. Avoid damaging the tooth as much as possible, so that it can be re-inserted without much fuss. While it’s far more likely that young children can have their permanent teeth replaced once they’ve fallen out, it’s not impossible for adults to fare well enough with the re-insertion process.
How To Save Your Tooth:
Find the tooth as soon as it’s out and handle it carefully. Don’t touch the root of the tooth at all if you can manage it as the root is the most easily damaged portion of the tooth. If you find the tooth is dirty, rinse it with milk, but only hold onto the top of the tooth or the crown of the tooth while you do it. Don’t wipe it off with some fabric, even if it’s very soft, as it’s likely it’ll damage the tooth. To keep it moist, drop it in a glass of milk and if that option is unavailable to you, place it in your mouth between the cheek and the gum. Just remember to keep the tooth moist and use water as a last resort. If you’d like, you can attempt to slide the tooth back into the socket. If you attempt this, understand that you should not apply any sort of pressure as you reinsert the tooth on your own. It should slide in totally uninhibited, and if it doesn’t simply replace it in the glass of milk as that’s where it’s safest.
After you’ve done all the damage control, you’ll need to come and visit your Missoula dentist at Bitterroot Dental immediately.
Schedule an Emergency Dental Appointment With Bitterroot Dental Now
Please don’t wait long and risk your chances of being able to replace the tooth. If you’ve just lost your tooth, we need to see you as soon as possible as literal minutes can make the difference between saving a viable tooth and not being able to save it. While there are steps we can take to replace a missing tooth, we’re sure you would prefer to keep your natural tooth. Please reach out to us immediately and we’ll work hard to get you in as soon as possible so that we can save your tooth and your smile.
