According to the American Association of Endodontists, roughly 5 million people knock out a tooth each year. This condition, also known as an avulsed tooth, is a dental emergency that calls for prompt treatment. What should you do if you ever find yourself with a knocked-out tooth in Prestonsburg? This blog post contains practical guidance.
Find the Tooth and Place It Back in Its Socket
After the tooth gets knocked out, one of the first things you should do is locate it. This might be a bit tricky if you were playing sports in a grassy area, but the sooner you find it, the more likely it is that it can be saved. While you are looking for the tooth, give your emergency dentist a call so they can prepare to see you as soon as possible.
Once you find the tooth, touch it only by its crown (the part you normally see above the gumline). Very gently, rinse off any dirt or debris that is clinging to it. Then, you can try to place it back in its socket. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you try to do so:
- Once the tooth is in place, bite down on gauze or a similar item to keep it securely in place (this should also help to control any bleeding).
- If you cannot place the tooth in its socket due to pain or other reasons, do not try to force it. Instead, use other means to preserve it.
Preserving an Avulsed Tooth
If you cannot place an avulsed tooth in its socket, you should find another means of keeping it moist. Letting it dry out could cause its cells to die off faster, decreasing the chances that it can be saved. Here are some dos and don’ts of preserving an avulsed tooth:
- Do not place it in plain water.
- Do not place it in any acidic or sugary liquid, such as a sports drink or soda pop.
- Place it in milk if you have any on hand. Milk is a tooth-friendly substance that may preserve the tooth for at least a few hours.
- If no milk is available, you could alternatively use a tooth preservation kit from a local pharmacy.
Saving an Avulsed Tooth
When you get to your emergency dentist’s office, they might be able to save the tooth by splinting it back into its socket. Over time, your body could reintegrate the tooth, and it may once again be able to function normally.
However, even if you make every effort to preserve an avulsed tooth, there is no guarantee that it will be salvageable. If that is true in your case, your dentist will treat the damage to your oral tissues and talk to you about your tooth replacement options.
In most cases, it is wise to place an avulsed tooth back into its socket. Your fast action could prevent a new gap in your smile!
Meet the Practice
Drs. Bryan Griffith and Alex Hartgrove are the general and emergency dentists at Brookside Dental Care. They are usually able to provide same-day care for urgent cases. Regardless of what dental problem patients are experiencing, they always make efforts to offer care that is both comfortable and conservative. To learn more about how they may be able to serve you, contact our office at 606-874-9311.