Wednesday, October 1, 2014

What to Do When You Knock Out a Tooth

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment