Can My Knocked Out Tooth Be Saved?

There are times when you will know an emergency dentist is a necessity. But there are others times when you may think a situation can wait until Monday morning or the next day. What about when it comes to teeth being knocked out? Do you really need to see someone? If your adult tooth has been knocked out, there is a chance that it can be saved, and emergency treatment is a requirement.

What Do You Need to Do First?

If a tooth has been knocked out, it's important to remain calm. As long as the roots are intact and it isn't damaged anywhere else, it can be placed back into the mouth. You will need to clean it first, but avoid scrubbing or rubbing debris off.

Milk is the best cleaning agent, but you can rinse it under water for a short period of time. When you are calm, you can also clean the tooth in your own mouth if you are comfortable with this.

Can You Replant It Yourself Temporarily?

You may be able to replace the tooth yourself until you get to the emergency dentist. Never touch the tooth by the root, and place it gently back into the gums where it came out. Hold it in place until you get to the dentist.

If this isn't possible, you'll need to keep the tooth safe and moist; when the tooth dries out, it will die and cannot be replaced. Like cleaning, milk is the best option for this. You can also put it in your mouth, placing it in your cheek just to keep it out of the way.

How Long Will It Last?

When successfully replanted, the teeth can last for the rest of your life. You will need to look after your oral health to ensure this, and make sure you do get to a dentist as soon as possible after the incident to help ensure the tooth can be replanted and last.

Can a Baby Tooth Be Saved?

You can't replant a baby tooth. A dentist would advise you not to do it, since baby teeth eventually fall out anyway to make room for the adult teeth. If you try to replant it yourself, you can damage the gums and cause problems for growing adult teeth.

A knocked out adult tooth doesn't mean that it is gone for good. It will depend on how it has been lost and whether there is any damage. You will also need to take steps to look after it until you get to an emergency dentist.