Your teeth endure pressure from biting and chewing without issue regularly. But the high impact from a blow to the face or another accident could accidentally dislodge one or more teeth. This dental injury will need prompt action if you want to save the knocked-out tooth and restore your smile.
When you know what to do in the event of a dental emergency ahead of an accident, you can feel more confident and assured if the scenario arises. So read on to learn the steps you should take if you lose a tooth.
Act Now to Save a Knocked-out Tooth
Preserve the Tooth As Well As Possible
If you lose a tooth, collect it as quickly as you can. Make sure you handle the tooth from the crown rather than the root. This is because the root contains sensitive nerves that might become even more damaged at your touch.
If the tooth is dirty because of touching the ground, you can gently rinse it with milk. Or you may use water if milk isn’t readily available. Don’t rub at it with a cloth or other fabric as this could damage the tooth further.
You’ll want to keep the tooth moist to best preserve it. If you can, you should carefully place the tooth back in its socket in your mouth. Don’t force it into place, but the saliva will help to keep the tooth as healthy as possible.
Alternatively, you can store it in a cup filled with spit to keep it moist. If you’re careful, you could also tuck the tooth in your cheek near the outer gums to preserve it. You might also place it in a glass of milk or water.
Visit Your Dentist for Emergency Treatment
Quick action to save a knocked-out tooth is key. So make sure you call your dentist or go straight to their office within half an hour if you can. They’ll be more likely to successfully get the tooth back in place within this early window of time. Delaying treatment could decrease this chance of success.
The dentist will clean the area and put the tooth in the socket, keeping it in place with a splint. The tooth should reattach within three to four weeks. If the tooth suffered a fracture, the tooth may need more time to heal and attach.
They’ll also likely need to complete a root canal to finish the restoration. Make sure you attend any recommended follow-up dentist appointments to ensure the healing proceeds properly.
Sometimes, a dentist can’t place the tooth back in the mouth. In these cases, a dentist can provide several options for tooth replacement treatment.
A dental implant can replace one or more lost teeth in a comprehensive way. They’ll fill gaps in your smile, and prevent further oral health complications that may come up because of tooth loss.
What to Expect During Recovery
After your dentist reattaches the tooth, the healing process begins. The splint will keep the tooth stable, but follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions carefully to give the tooth the best chance of survival.
You’ll need to eat a soft-food diet for at least a week or two. Think soups, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. Avoid chewing with the injured tooth entirely until your dentist gives you the all-clear. You’ll also need to be extra gentle when brushing by carefully cleaning around the splint without disturbing it.
Your dentist will likely prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection and may recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash. It’s normal to have some sensitivity and swelling. You can manage this with over-the-counter pain relievers as directed by your dentist.
Why a Root Canal is Often Necessary
You might wonder why a successfully reattached tooth would need a root canal. When a tooth is knocked out, the nerve and blood supply (the pulp) inside the tooth are severed and can’t heal. Over time, this dead tissue inside the tooth can become infected or cause the root to break down from the inside.
A root canal procedure removes this damaged pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it. This step keeps the tooth healthy and prevents a painful infection from developing months or even years later.
When Saving the Tooth Isn’t Possible
Unfortunately, not every knocked-out tooth can be saved. If the tooth was broken into pieces, if the root is severely fractured, or if too much time has passed, replantation may not be successful.
In these cases, your dentist will discuss tooth replacement options with you. The goal is to fill the gap to restore your smile, and prevent your other teeth from shifting.
- Dental Implant: This is often the best long-term solution. An implant is a titanium post that acts as an artificial tooth root, placed directly into your jawbone. A lifelike dental crown is then attached to it. An implant looks, feels, and works like a real tooth and helps preserve your jawbone health.
- Dental Bridge: A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors for a false tooth that “bridges” the space. This is a good option if the neighboring teeth already need crowns.
- Partial Denture: This is a removable appliance with one or more false teeth. It’s a less invasive and more affordable option, but it won’t feel as stable as a fixed bridge or implant.
The Best Protection is Prevention
Knowing what to do in an emergency is important, but the best strategy is to stop the accident from happening in the first place.
The easiest way to protect your smile is to wear a mouthguard during any sport or activity where a hit to the face is possible. This includes sports like football, basketball, baseball, and even skateboarding or biking. A custom mouthguard made by your dentist will give you the best fit and protection. But any mouthguard is much better than no protection at all.
A knocked-out tooth is a scary situation, but remember that your actions matter most. If you stay calm, handle the tooth correctly, and see a dentist right away, you give yourself the best possible chance of saving your tooth and your smile.