How to Handle a Knocked Out Tooth
With timely action and some knowledge, a tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket often can be successfully reimplanted and last for years. However, you need to know what to do in case this happens to you or someone with you. Time is of the essence, so act quickly but knowledgeably. Please follow these steps if a tooth is knocked out:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, which is the chewing surface, and not by the root. If the tooth is dirty, hold it by the crown and rinse it gently with water. Your goal is simply to remove the dirt from the surface of the tooth. Do not use any soap or chemicals, do not scrub or dry the tooth, and do not wrap it in a tissue.
- Next, place the tooth back in the socket as soon as possible. The sooner the tooth is back in its original position, the better the chances it will have to survive. Place the tooth back in the socket with your fingers or place it above the socket and slowly close your mouth. Hold the tooth in place with gentle biting pressure or with your fingers.
- If you can’t get the tooth back in the socket, the tooth must be kept moist by placing it either in milk, inside your cheek, or by using a tooth preservation kit available at your pharmacy. The last option is to place the tooth in water with a little pinch of salt.
- Call us right away! If we can see you within 30 minutes, we can begin the process of trying to save the tooth.