How To Increase Your Chances Of Saving A Knocked Out Tooth
If you knock out one of your teeth, then you need to make sure you do the correct things quickly if you are going to have a chance to save the tooth. It's always best to save your natural tooth because it's riskier to put any foreign object in your body due to the increased risk of infection and rejection. By following the advice provided below, you can increase the chances that your tooth can be saved.
Handle the tooth properly
If you knock your tooth out, you want to pick it up right away. The root of your tooth is very fragile and touching it can cause damage to it that prevents it from being saved. Therefore, pick the tooth up by the crown portion.
Rinse all dirt off the tooth and root off, but do not scrub or rub it. You should use your own spit to rinse off the tooth if you can. If you aren't able to get enough spit to rinse it off completely, then you can use milk or water. Make sure you don't use hot water to rinse the tooth off.
Re-implant the tooth
If possible, the best thing you can do is to put the tooth back into the socket. Make sure you are putting it in so the tooth sits in the right direction and push down gently, but firmly. Once the tooth is back in the socket, bite down on a piece of gauze until you can get to the dentist.
Store the tooth
If you were not able to put the tooth back in the socket, then you want to carry it in a plastic baggy or container with a sealable lid. You will need to keep it moist with your saliva. Make sure there is enough of your saliva in the container that the crown and root are completely covered for the entire period of time that the tooth is being kept in the container. Another way you can carry the tooth is in your mouth. Tuck it between your gum and cheek, being careful to not touch the root with your finger or tongue.
Get to the dentist immediately
If you are not able to see your own dentist right away, you need to go to the nearest emergency dentist. When it comes to saving a tooth that has been knocked out, getting immediate dental care is crucial.
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