Dental Accidents: What to Do with a Cracked or Missing Tooth

 While we all take care of our pearly whites as best we can, accidents can happen, genes may kick in and a number of other factors could lead to you losing a tooth. However, a tooth that’s been knocked out doesn’t necessarily have to be left for good. In fact, the right care and attention will ensure that, in an emergency situation, your tooth can be saved and successfully put back into your gums without hassle.

Here’s how to handle a missing tooth the moment the incident occurs.

Act fast

If a blow to the face or an unpleasantly tough food has caused your tooth to fall out, acting as fast as possible is the best call of action. Follow these steps to ensure your tooth can be reinserted by a specialist.

1. Hold the tooth by its crown

Make sure you find the tooth as soon as possible and handle it with care. You must handle it with the crown (the surface you chew with) and not make contact with the root of the tooth.

2. Rinse with water

If your tooth has fallen on the ground and looks dirty, rinse with only water to wash off any dirt. A gentle rinse is all that’s recommended, so avoid scrubbing the tooth, drying it or wrapping it in tissue or cloth.

3. Reposition your tooth

Once you’ve got a handle of your tooth, immediately put it back into its socket and gently push it in with your fingers. You can then hold the tooth in place by gently biting down.

4. Keep the tooth moist and alive

Placing the tooth back into its socket will ensure your tooth is moist at all times, but if you can’t put it back into its socket, keep it in a moist environment. Place it in milk (tap water will upset the root’s cells after a longer period of time), into your mouth by your cheek, or in a tooth preservation kit if you have one handy.

5. Reach your dentist immediately

The best time to see a dentist in this case is within 30 minutes, so get to an emergency specialist as soon as possible. While it’s still conceivable to save your tooth with a dentist outside this time, the earlier you are treated the better your chances of having your tooth reinserted.

Provided you act quick, your dental professional will be able to guide you through the next steps of repositioning your tooth. Even in instances where the tooth has to be replaced, your dentist will be able to assist you in returning your smile to its original state.