Knocked Out a Tooth? Take These Steps ASAP

It can happen in an instant. Whether you take a fall, suffer a hard hit during a sports game, or are involved in another type of accident, you might suddenly find yourself missing a tooth! This can be an alarming dental emergency, but do not panic. After knocking out a tooth, taking prompt action can mean the difference between preserving your complete smile or finding yourself with a brand new gap. What exactly should you do? This blog post explains.

Call Your Emergency Dentist

As soon as you realize that a tooth has been knocked out, contact your emergency dentist. Tell the dental team what happened, when the injury occurred, and whether the tooth is permanent or a baby tooth. Your dentist may be able to provide instructions over the phone while you are on your way to the office. Keep in mind that the chances of preserving the tooth are best if you receive care within an hour or so of it getting knocked out, so acting quickly is pivotal.

Side note: If you are bleeding excessively, believe your jaw is broken, or have serious injuries beyond your knocked-out tooth, go to the local emergency department. You can seek dental care after receiving proper medical attention.

Find and Rinse the Tooth

Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown, which is the part that you normally see above the gumline. Avoid touching the root; you do not want to accidentally damage its delicate cells. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with clean water. Do not scrub it, use soap, remove tissue fragments, or dry it with a towel. A quick, careful rinse is enough to remove visible debris without damaging the tooth.

Store the Tooth Properly

The tooth must stay moist until you reach the dental office. If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket and hold it there by biting down softly on clean gauze. If that is not comfortable or practical, tuck the tooth between your cheek and gums. Or, you can put the tooth in a container of milk, saliva, or a tooth preservation kit that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Avoid storing it in plain water, and do not wrap it in a napkin or tissue. Keeping the tooth moist helps protect the root cells that are needed for successful reimplantation.

What to Expect During Your Emergency Dental Appointment

During your visit, your emergency dentist will examine your mouth, check for additional injuries, and determine whether the tooth can be replanted. If the tooth is still viable, they may gently place it back into the socket and stabilize it with a splint. You might also need X-rays, pain relief recommendations, antibiotics, or follow-up appointments to monitor healing. In some cases, root canal therapy may be recommended later to preserve the tooth.

If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist can clean the injured area and advise you on your next steps. You may qualify for a dental bridge, an implant, or another form of tooth replacement.

Getting a tooth knocked out can be scary! Maintain a cool head so you can give your smile the best chance of a happy outcome.

Meet the Practice

At Alamo Springs Dental, our two highly skilled dentists are often able to provide same-day care for emergency cases. We also offer sedation to make intensive treatments as easy as possible. If you need urgent oral health service or would like to know more about us, contact our office in San Antonio at 210-463-9339.