Your Peterborough Invisalign® Provider
What are the common causes of knocked-out teeth?
If you experience sudden impact or trauma to your face then you may end up with knocked-out teeth.
If you are dealing with an emergency situation such as knocked-out teeth, follow the steps below:
1. If possible, find the tooth and pick it up without touching the root.
Immediately after you lose your tooth, attempt to retrieve it. Carefully pick the tooth up by the crown (the part exposed above the gum line when it is in your mouth).
2. Rinse the tooth under water to gently remove any dirt.
Use only water to rinse any debris or dirt from the tooth. Avoid using chemicals or soap. Do not scrub or dry the tooth, or wrap it in cloth or tissue, as any of these actions may result in damage.
3. You may be able to place the tooth back in its socket while you travel to your appointment.
Try putting the tooth back in its socket right away. You can try to gently push it in (continuing to touch the crown only, not the root). Another option is to try positioning it above the socket.
Close your mouth to gently bite down on the tooth to hold it in place. You may also use your finger to hold it if in place if necessary.
4. Keep the tooth moist until you get to the dentist.
If you’re unable to place the tooth back in its socket, it must be kept moist until you get to the dentist. Place it in a cup of milk, or keep it in your mouth next to your cheek. Avoid storing it in regular tap water, as the root surface cells will not be able to tolerate water for an extended period of time.
This may help protect the tooth and increase the likelihood of saving it.
5. Get to your dentist's office as quickly as possible.
The best chance of saving the tooth is if you can get to the dentist's office within the first 30 minutes. However, it may still be possible for your dentist to save a tooth if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.
What can you do at home to prepare for a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies will happen at the moment you least expect them, including at home. Here are some of the items that you should keep on hand in case a dental emergency occurs:
- Over-the-counter painkillers (such as ibuprofen)
- Ice pack
- Small container with a lid to preserve a knocked-out tooth
- Gauze
- The phone number of our Peterborough dentist’s office
Type "dentist near me" into your favourite search engine, and our information will likely come up. As soon as you feel safe and are able to call our office, do so. We will make room in our schedule to see you as soon as possible.