Increasing The Likelihood Of Saving A Knocked Out Tooth

If you had an incident occur in which one of your teeth was knocked completely out of your mouth, you will most likely want to take the necessary steps in getting emergency help in an attempt to have it replaced. If you get to a dentist within about a half an hour after the tooth falls from your mouth, you have a chance in a successful restoration. Here are some steps to follow in keeping your tooth in the best possible condition to further increase your chance of having it placed back into your mouth by an emergency dentist.

Clean The Tooth To Remove Bacteria

As soon as the tooth falls to the ground, grab it before it can be pushed away where you will be unable to retrieve it. If possible, grasp it from the crown portion so the roots will not be exposed to additional bacteria. This will also help keep the roots intact as they will not be handled by your hands, possibly causing them to deteriorate. Close off the drain in a sink and rinse the tooth to remove any dirt present on its surface. 

Try Putting Your Tooth Back In The Socket

Rinse your mouth to help stop any bleeding and try to push the tooth back into the empty socket it had fallen from. Make sure you turn the tooth so it is facing the same direction it was when it was in your mouth. Gently push the roots into the hole. Hold a piece of gauze over the tooth to help keep it from falling back out of your mouth.

Place The Tooth In Liquid To Transport

If you were unable to place the tooth back into the empty socket in your mouth, you will need to find an alternate way to transport it to the dentist so the roots do not dry out on the way. Milk is the preferred liquid for tooth transport as it does not contain any chemicals or additives that may be present in juices or sodas. Some water contains minerals that can cause damage to the roots, making this a bad choice to use as well. 

If you do not have milk available, you can try holding the tooth between your inner cheek and fronts of your teeth. This method might give the roots enough moisture to keep them from drying out as you make your way to the dentist for help. To improve your chances of saving your tooth, contact a business that specializes in emergency dentistry right away.