Saving a Knocked-out Tooth
By some estimates nearly three million permanent teeth are accidentally knocked out each year. While children account for most of these dislodged teeth, a significant number of adults also lose their teeth.
With quick action you can often successfully replant a tooth that has been entirely knocked out of its socket. Such replanted teeth can last for years. The key is to know what to do if you or someone with you has a tooth knocked out.
First, pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. Handle the tooth carefully to minimize injury to the root.
Next, carefully clean the tooth with water, remembering not to touch the root surface. Do not use soap or chemicals and do not scrub the tooth. Do not dry the tooth and do not wrap it in a tissue or cloth.
Reposition the tooth into its socket immediately, if possible. The sooner the tooth is replaced, the greater the chance it will survive. In some cases you can save a tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour. Carefully push the tooth into the socket using your fingers. Hold the tooth in place with your fingers or carefully bite down on the tooth.
Keep the tooth moist at all times. Do not leave it outside the mouth to dry. If you cannot place it back into its socket, then place it in one of the following: 1) emergency tooth preservation kit, available at some drug stores, 2) milk, 3) your mouth (next to your cheek), or 4) water containing a pinch of salt. Use water as your last choice.
See a dentist as soon as possible, ideally within thirty minutes. The dentist might need to stabilize the tooth with a splint for a period of time. He/she also might want to check for other facial injuries.
Sometimes a tooth is pushed partially out of the socket. Your dentist can reposition and stabilize your tooth. If the pulp remains healthy, no additional treatment might be needed. During an injury a tooth might be pushed deeper into its socket. This can be one of the more serious injuries. Your dentist might need to reposition the tooth and stabilize it.
In all of the above cases you will need to maintain close contact with your dentist. He/she will monitor the tooth for changes in color, pain, swelling, or loosening of the tooth. The key to saving any injured tooth is to seek immediate dental care. Time is of the essence.
Charles E. Warlick, Jr., D.D.S.
Dr. Warlick has been practicing dentistry in Wimberley since 1979. He is Managing Director for the
c: Hill Country- Knocked Out Tooth