How to save a knocked-out tooth?
A knocked-out tooth can result from an injury or trauma to the face. Any sudden and precise force can cause a tooth to come out of its socket and fall off or be attached just by the gums. This type of dental injury can be frequently seen in children.
So, what to do when you or someone you know knocks out a tooth? Can it be saved?
Well, yes! A knocked-out tooth can be reimplanted into the empty socket if you act fast and within an hour.
The first thing you must do in such a situation is to find the tooth. Please do not attempt to clean it or handle it too much. Just put it in a container filled with cold milk. If milk is not readily available, use water.
As soon as you do so, reach out to us at Southern Delaware Dental Specialists, and we will schedule an emergency appointment for you. Use a soft cloth or cotton in the stopgap and bite down on it gently to stop any bleeding. Please do not attempt to clean the socket by yourself, as you may reduce the chances of a re-implantation.
It is of the essence that you reach our dental clinic in Delaware as soon as possible, as it dictates your chances of having a successful treatment outcome. If the tooth and the socket are in a good state, our dentist will attempt to place it in its precise position and splint it for a few weeks for proper stabilization.
In some cases, a root canal treatment may be done before replacing the tooth. However, if you delay the visit and more than 2 hours have passed since the incident, it may not be possible to replace the tooth. Therefore, it is imperative to act fast if you wish to save those pearly whites!
