Whether it happened while playing a contact sport or through some kind of other accident, knocking out a tooth couldn’t be a stressful situation. In the moment, it can be hard to calm yourself down enough to get the situation under control. To help you better handle things if this ever happens to you, continue reading to learn five tips that you should follow until your emergency dentist can see you if you ever knock out a tooth.
Step #1: Call Your Emergency Dentist
As soon as a tooth gets knocked out, make sure to read out to your dentist. Explain the situation to them. They will be able to walk you through next steps. Since getting to your dentist’s office in the next 30 to 60 minutes is your best chance of saving the tooth, they will see you as soon as possible.
If you knock out a tooth after hours, listen to their voicemail to see if it gives you instructions on what to do next.
Step #2: Find & Clean the Tooth
Once you’ve spoken with your dentist’s office, try to locate the tooth. If you’re able to find the tooth, pick it up by the top part, which is called the crown. Don’t touch the roots of the tooth, which could damage it. Rinse it off with clean water. Avoid using cleaning agents since this may cause additional damage to the tooth. Additionally, don’t get rid of any tissue stuck on it.
Step #3: Store the Tooth
Keep the tooth damp by storing it in water or attempting to place it back in its socket if possible. You can also store the tooth between your gums and cheek or in a small container full of saliva or milk. Make sure to take the tooth with you to your emergency dental appointment.
Step #4: Clean Your Mouth
Rinse your mouth out to get rid of any leftover debris after you store the tooth somewhere safe. If it broke in your mouth and not all of it was knocked out, inspect your mouth to see if any pieces are still lodged in the socket. If so, use dental wax to cover up the sharp edges so that they don’t scratch your tongue, cheeks, or lips.
Step #5: Keep Your Smile Safe
Try not to eat anything until your emergency dental appointment if possible. This will help prevent debris from getting into the socket of the knocked-out tooth. Chew carefully and on the opposite side of your mouth from where the tooth used to be if you can’t wait until after you see your dentist.
If you’re uncomfortable or in pain, add half a teaspoon of salt to a warm glass of water. Gently swishing this mixture around in your mouth will lessen inflammation as well as disinfect the area. An ice pack or cold compress or some over-the-counter pain medicine will also help.
About the Practice
On the lookout for a skilled emergency dentist? Look no further than Dr. Robert A. Camenzuli and his team at Camenzuli Dental Excellence. They treat New Orleans patients with the best possible care, including emergency treatments to help patients who have knocked out a tooth or with other urgent concerns. To learn more about emergency dentistry at Camenzuli Dental Excellence or to make an appointment with Dr. Camenzuli, visit their website or call (504) 895-3400.