Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth

If a tooth gets knocked out entirely, it would seem that there is little that can be done about it but think about replacement options. Unlikely as it may seem, however, it is sometimes possible to actually save the original tooth and have it restored. 

Time is of the essence if a knocked-out tooth is to be saved and this means seeing a dentist urgently and ideally within an hour of the accident. To maximise the chances of a successful restoration, the following steps should be followed:

Pick up the tooth by the crown and not the root. Rinse under water if dirty but do not dry the tooth or place it in a bag.

When possible, fit the tooth back in its socket and use gentle bite pressure to hold it in place. This is for adult permanent teeth only and not suitable for baby teeth.

If the tooth cannot be put back in the empty socket, then store it in a container and cover with milk or saliva but not water.

It is vital to get to your dentist as soon as possible as the root and nerve endings start to deteriorate and die from the moment they become disconnected. Read more on this topic at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/can-you-save-a-knocked-out-tooth/