Did you knock out your adult tooth? We know this is a very painful situation. The good news is that Manus Dental can help you during this dental emergency. Just make sure to take the following steps within the hour because, by acting quickly, you just might save your tooth and your smile!
Step 1: Recover the tooth.
If you just lost your tooth, you’re probably feeling pretty shocked, but you need to act quickly! The first thing you need to do is recover the tooth if at all possible. That said, we strongly recommend that you do not pick up the tooth by the fleshy root. Instead, grab it by the crown (the outer white surface). Be certain to handle the tooth with care to avoid causing any additional damage.
Step 2: Rinse your tooth.
Once you’ve grabbed the tooth, you’ll want to clean it carefully. Rinse it with a sterile saline solution, whole milk, or saliva. You can also make your own saline solution using ¼ teaspoon of salt and a cup of water. Water alone does not preserve your tooth as effectively as these materials, but you can use it as a last resort if none of them are available. Do not scrub or wipe your tooth in this process but, instead, gently rinse off the crown and root—otherwise, you risk losing vital tissue.
Step 3: Reinsert the tooth into the socket.
This may seem bizarre, but putting your tooth back into the empty socket is a good way to ensure the root stays protected while you make your way to the dentist’s office. Once you’ve placed the tooth in the socket, hold it in place by biting down on medical gauze or a soft fabric. Doing so will make the process of re-implanting the tooth easier for your dentist. If it doesn’t fit, though, don’t force it. This leads us to our next step…
Step 4: Protect your tooth!
If you cannot reinsert your tooth into the socket, we recommend that you place it in a bag of milk, saline solution, or saliva. Do not use water for this process, as it won’t preserve your tooth and may make it more difficult to re-implant. You can also place it between your cheek and gums if necessary. The goal here is to keep your tooth as intact as possible so you have the greatest chance of restoring it to its original place.
Step 5: Call Manus Dental right away!
It is very important that you visit the dentist right away if you lose your tooth. At Manus Dental, we provide emergency services for instances like this one. Just call our emergency number (312-274-3333) and we’ll help you as soon as possible. If, for some reason, you are unable to reach your dentist, we strongly recommend going to the emergency room right away. By reacting quickly, you’re much more likely to keep the dental socket healthy, re-implant the tooth, and restore your smile.