Dental emergencies don’t happen often, but when they do, it always helps to know what to do next. While close to 180 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, you don’t have to give up if you find yourself dealing with a knocked out tooth in Saratoga. With these steps in mind, you can make the best of your bad situation ahead of your emergency dental appointment. Remember, only a dental professional (such as an endodontist) can effectively resolve your situation.
Be as Gentle as Possible
Start by doing your best to find the knocked out tooth. If you find it, make sure to handle it with extreme care. For example, you should only touch it by the crown portion and not the root (which is the pointed end that sits inside your jaw.) Furthermore, you should never remove any tissue that may still be attached to the root. Doing so could negatively influence your chances of getting the tooth reimplanted.
Clean the Tooth (and the Mouth)
If the tooth landed on the ground, it’s important that you clean it gently and remove any dirt that may still be on it. This can be done by rinsing it with cool water. Just make sure to only handle it by the crown when you do. Additionally, avoid scrubbing the root or drying it. Dryness is never good for a knocked out tooth. You should also rinse your mouth with cool water before moving on to the next step.
Place the Tooth Back in the Socket
One of the best ways to keep your tooth preserved is by placing the tooth back into the open socket. After the tooth and mouth are cleaned, gently place it back into your jaw and close your mouth slowly to keep it secure. With that said, it’s understandable if you find it difficult to keep it in place. If this is not possible, move on to the next step.
Alternative Methods for Preservation
When placing the tooth back into the mouth is not possible, you need to keep the tooth moist for as long as you can. When storing the tooth, opt for milk instead of water (unless it’s saltwater, which is a good alternative if milk is not available.) This will only keep the tooth preserved for up to one hour, so you’ll need to get to a dental office right away.
Get Emergency Attention Immediately
Time is of the essence when a tooth gets knocked out. Like severe dental pain, knocked out teeth are considered a dental emergency. This means you need to pick up the phone and call an endodontist for an emergency appointment right away. Doing so could save your tooth!
Whether you’re dealing with a knocked out tooth or another dental emergency, don’t put off your necessary care. Call an emergency dental professional today to protect your smile!
About Endo Saratoga
Not only are the endodontists at Endo Saratoga highly trained to treat problems related to the complex inner areas of teeth, but they can get you out of discomfort and potentially save your tooth along the way! If you are experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait to get the care you need. Get in touch with their office through their website.
