Accidents happen, and sometimes they can damage your smile.
Whether it’s a fall, fight, car accident, or sports-related injury, teeth break
and get knocked out quite frequently. No one expects their tooth to be knocked
out (unless they are trying the age old doorknob tooth pull), but when the
event happens, it will benefit you to know what steps to take so as to not
inflict further damage.
When a tooth is knocked out, save it! Bring the ejected
tooth to the dentist when you go in for treatment and hold the tooth by its
crown. You can also bring a tooth to the dentist by:
- Placing the tooth back in the mouth where it fell out and biting down on it, using gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep the tooth in place.
- Placing the tooth in a container and covering it with a bit of whole milk or saliva.
- Carrying the tooth in between the lower lip and lower gum or under the tongue.
- Using a tooth-saving storage container, which includes a fluid solution.
For the open socket in your mouth, be sure to:
- Apply a cold compress to your mouth or gums to numb any pain.
- Directly place pressure on the area using gauze to contain any bleeding.
When you have an avulsed tooth, knowing what to do is just
as important as knowing what not to do. Certain actions can do more harm than
good, so make sure you are aware of how your tooth can possibly be damaged if
it is knocked out.
- Do not handle the roots of the tooth – only the chewing end (the crown) should be touched.
- Do not try to remove any dirt or debris by scratching the root of the tooth.
- Do not attempt to clean or brush the tooth with typical wound-cleaning solutions like peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
The most important step to take when you lose a tooth is to
call your dentist immediately. If you have the tooth at your disposal, bring it
with you to the dentist office, but know that the only way to fix an avulsed
tooth is to utilize the expert care of a professional.
To learn more, call the
Coleman, TX dental office of Lawrence Thompson, DDS.
