Knocked Out Tooth? Here’s What You Should Do Immediately

Dental emergencies are scary, and it can be hard to think clearly while one is happening. Try not to panic. Use this guide to direct your next actions immediately after losing a tooth.

If your tooth just got knocked out, you need immediate professional help to prevent further damage. Here are the immediate steps you should take during a dental emergency involving tooth loss.

Step 1: Pick Up the Tooth at the Top

If you can recover your tooth, do so immediately. Pick it up by the top, where you’d normally chew your food. Don’t touch the bottom socket of the tooth that contains the nerves.

The reason you should avoid doing this is that touching the tooth roots can damage them. Some people can successfully reintegrate the same tooth into their mouth with professional help, so it’s essential to preserve as much of the tooth as possible.

Step 2: Gently Rinse the Tooth if It’s Dirty

Don’t use any soap or other cleaning agents to cleanse the lost tooth. This can damage the roots and surface. Gently and briefly rinse the tooth with water. Don’t dry it off or scrub it in any way.
You should not wrap a lost tooth in a cloth or paper towel. Here’s what you should do next instead.

Step 3: Replace the Knocked-Out Tooth in Its Socket if Possible

Sometimes the knocked-out tooth can reintegrate itself back into its socket, but this often requires professional assistance. Either way, it’s essential to try this within 30 to 60 minutes of losing the tooth. This is the best window of success for keeping the natural tooth.

Pick the tooth up by the top surface (crown) and try to gently push it back into the socket. Hold it in the socket for a few minutes with your finger. Use moderate pressure and ease up if you feel sudden, sharp pain.

Step 4: Keep the Tooth in Your Mouth No Matter What

The tooth must stay moist to remain healthy enough for reinsertion. If it won’t fit back into its socket, try to keep it alongside your cheek. Be careful not to accidentally swallow it.
Never use regular water (especially from the tap) to try to preserve your tooth. Tap water contains other substances that can damage or kill the roots of your tooth.

If keeping the tooth in your mouth isn’t an option, use a glass of milk. Some companies also make tooth-saving kits that are designed to help in these situations.

Step 5: Visit an Emergency Dentist Right Away

Once the tooth is in a safe spot where it can retain moisture, you need to go in for an emergency dental appointment right away.

Try to make it there within 30 minutes or less. During dental emergencies, time is the most important factor on your side. If you can’t make it within a half-hour, you should still go in. Sometimes teeth can be saved outside of this window.

What Happens During a Dental Emergency Appointment?

Emergency dental care is typically handled much more quickly than standard appointments. Your dentist will assess the damage to both the lost tooth and its socket. This may include an X-ray.
From there, they will use professional techniques for reinsertion.

If the tooth cannot be saved or replaced inside your mouth, it’s time to consider other options. Tooth replacement procedures like implantes dentales can protect your jawbone and keep your teeth aligned after tooth loss.

A good professional will keep you informed and give you options throughout the entire process.

What if You Do Nothing After You Knock Out Your Tooth?

It may be tempting to just toss the tooth and cut your losses. Do not do this after a traumatic tooth injury.

Whatever you do, it’s best not to leave the tooth socket empty or avoid treatment. This can put you at risk for infections and serious health complications in the future.

Missing teeth can cause entire rows of remaining teeth to shift, causing issues with your bite and jaw posture. Empty tooth sockets can also cause healthy teeth to reorient in your mouth and make it easier for bacteria to build up. It isn’t always possible to reach these small nooks and crannies during brushing and flossing.

Tooth loss can indirectly lead to gum disease because of the misalignment of existing teeth. Chronic plaque and bacteria buildup will cause inflammation in your gums, which can progress into gingivitis or periodontitis.

Come to Dr. Brett Langston for Dental Emergencies

At Dr. Brett Langston’s office, we take your oral health seriously. We’ll help assess the tooth and socket damage and do everything we can to save your tooth. If we can’t, we’ll present you with safe alternative treatments to restore your mouth to full functioning and health.

Póngase en contacto con nosotros now for emergency care and support!