Maybe it happened during a Sunday afternoon game of backyard football, or perhaps on a bike ride gone awry. No matter what caused your tooth to get knocked out, you need to find a solution — and fast! Teeth that are treated within two hours of loss can often be successfully reattached. When a tooth is outside of the gums for longer than this window, though, the chances aren’t so great.
Calling an emergency dentist in Ormond Beach right away will ensure that you or your loved one get the appropriate treatment to possibly save your smile. Keep reading to find out more about what to do in the meantime — and how your dentist can help rescue a missing tooth.
Preserving a Knocked Out Tooth
As soon as you realize the tooth has been knocked out, collect it and rinse away any debris if it fell on the ground. Be careful when you are handling the tooth — do not touch its root. Doing so could damage the cells that are necessary for successful reattachment.
You will need to store the tooth to ensure it stays moist until you can make it to your dentist’s office. Place it in a plastic baggie filled with milk or back in the empty socket if that’s an option.
Managing the Pain
An injury that causes a knocked out tooth is likely to cause some amount of discomfort. If you or your loved one are in pain, take an over the counter medication to ease it. Tylenol is a good option. You can also apply an ice pack to the affected cheek in 10 to 15 minute intervals. This will decrease inflammation and soothe the area, too. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel to prevent it from irritating the sensitive facial skin.
Call Your Emergency Dentist ASAP
After you have gotten the situation under control by preserving the tooth in liquid and managing the worst of the pain, do not wait to call your emergency dentist. The team can provide specific first aid tips based on your situation and then schedule a time for you to come in as soon as possible. If you have followed these instructions and the tooth and its root remains intact, it can usually be reattached in a single visit.
Preventing Dental Injuries
There is no way to guarantee that you will never experience a knocked out tooth, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the chances that it will happen to you. Many dental injuries are caused by contact sports — so consider investing in a custom-fitted mouthguard if you or your child play football, basketball, wrestling, or anything else that puts the teeth at risk of injury.
The next time the unexpected arises and a tooth gets knocked out, just remember there’s no need to panic. Your emergency dentist is on the case!
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Nawrocki and Dr. David Brown are general dentists providing high quality comprehensive dental care for patients in our community. To learn more about the services they provide or to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Ormond Beach, we invite you to contact the office at 386-677-1046.