A dislodged tooth is usually knocked out by a blow to the face or an injury to the mouth and qualifies as an emergency dental situation that requires swift action. Knowing how to get a dislodged tooth to the dentist can make the difference between having it reimplanted in the mouth and needing an artificial dental restoration. Here are some easy-to-remember steps that can maximize your chances of a favorable result.
What Should I Do Immediately After the Tooth Is Knocked Out?
When a tooth is knocked out, the chances of being able to reimplant it begin to fall after thirty minutes, so you’ll want to get it to a dentist quickly. The first rule when caring for a dislodged tooth is to never touch or disturb the root. This part of the tooth contains sensitive tissues that will be in shock from being separated from the body, so only hold the tooth by the crown. If it is dirty, swish the tooth about in a bowl of lukewarm water without soap, but do not scrub it. Exposing a dislodged tooth to cleaning agents or running hot or cold water could damage the vulnerable tissues in the root.
How Should I Transport a Dislodged Tooth?
If you want to get that dislodged tooth securely back in your mouth, you’re going to need to bring it with you to an emergency dental visit. Ideally, you will place the tooth back in its socket, biting down on it through some gauze to hold it in place. If this isn’t possible, you can hold it in your cheek, a container with some saliva, or a cup of milk. Pharmacies sell kits that can keep a dislodged tooth in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours, so you might want to include it in a first-aid kit if you’re planning ahead.
Where Should I Go for Help?
Give your emergency dentist a call to tell them you’re coming as you start making your way there. If the office is not available, a hospital emergency room is the next best thing. In more extreme cases where tooth loss is the result of a greater face injury involving lacerations, a fractured jaw, etc., the emergency room is likely the better place to go.
It is wise to have an emergency dentist picked out before you’re dealing with an emergency. Knowing these steps ahead of time can help you stay calm in a stressful situation, and this clarity can be the deciding factor between losing or saving a tooth.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Melton earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry and has taken numerous advanced training courses through Spear Education, many of them focused on preserving natural tooth structure. He serves as a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. His office in Allen, TX, offers general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. If you need immediate care for a dislodged tooth, contact his office online or dial (972) 752-6453.
