How to Save a Knocked Out Tooth

Emergencies always occur when you least expect them, but this doesn’t mean that you cannot prepare for them in advance. In many cases of knocked out teeth, taking the right steps in the first minutes after the incident can save your tooth.

The following tips will help you save your or your children’s teeth in case of a dental emergency:

In many cases, it’s possible to ‘implant’ the natural tooth without a problem. The key factors that will determine the success of this plan are:

Handling of the Tooth

Pick it up carefully by the crown. Do your best not to touch the root at all. You may carefully rinse it in milk or water (not hot). It’s imperative to avoid touching or scrubbing the root.

You also need to prevent the tooth from drying out. It would be best to put it back into the socket and hold it there gently. If you can’t do this, put it in a tiny jar filled with milk and set off to seek help.

Severity of the Trauma

The gum and jaw might be too damaged to perform the treatment necessary to put your natural tooth back in time.

Time of Reaching the Dental Emergency Room

In order to have a chance of saving your tooth, it’s essential to seek treatment immediately. Successful recovery of your natural tooth is possible if you receive professional care within an hour of the accident.

Dental Emergency Prevention Tips

Chipped and knocked out teeth are most common in children and adults who practice sports, get into fights, or aren’t careful with their teeth. In many cases, this type of injury can be prevented by following these tips:

• Avoid chewing hard foods and ice.
  This behaviour does not only carry the risk of chipping your teeth, but also damages the enamel.
• Do not open packages with your teeth.
  Always use scissors or other specialized tools to open any kinds of packages, cans, and bottles.
• Wear mouth guards when doing sports.
  Custom mouth guards are the best as they fit your teeth perfectly and offer the highest degree of protection.

A knocked out tooth is a common problem but it can be effectively treated if you seek professional dental help immediately. If your natural tooth cannot be saved, it can be replaced with an implant.

However, if you pick up the tooth without damaging the root, preserve it in milk, and receive appropriate care within an hour of the incident, you have a good chance of restoring your healthy tooth.