Take These Steps Immediately When Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out

Having a tooth knocked out is understandably stressful, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the tooth can’t be saved. Under certain circumstances, a knocked-out tooth can be reattached if you take a few precautionary steps and get to the dentist as quickly as possible.

Our team of dentists at Manhasset Dental Arts offers emergency dentistry services for patients of all ages at our office in Manhasset, New York.

Steps to take immediately after a tooth is knocked out

It’s possible to save a tooth and have it reattached, but you have to act quickly. Manhasset Dental Arts offers emergency dentistry services, so give us a call as soon as you can after your tooth has been knocked out to schedule an appointment. The sooner you get to the dentist, the higher your chances of keeping your tooth.

Here’s the step-by-step process you should follow when you or your child has a knocked-out tooth due to a fall, sports injury, accident, or any form of trauma:

• Locate the tooth. (You can’t reattach it if you can’t find it!)
• Always make sure to handle the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the root if the tooth is knocked out whole.
• Clean the tooth by gently dipping it in clean, warm water if possible. Avoid rinsing the tooth under running water, and don’t rub, scrub, or wrap the tooth in cloth or plastic.
• If possible, try to reinsert the tooth into the socket. (It’s OK if you can’t or are too nervous to try to reinsert it on your own.)
• If you can’t reinsert the tooth in the socket, keeping it moist by holding it in your mouth until you get to the dentist is the next best thing.
• If you can’t keep the tooth in your mouth (or don’t want to), soak it in milk. Do not place it in water.

Keeping the tooth moist will help preserve the roots and increase the chances of reimplanting it successfully.

How much time do I have after my tooth is knocked out?

Your best chance of saving a tooth after it’s knocked out is to reattach it in the socket within minutes. However, that isn’t always possible, so you want to follow the steps above to preserve the tooth and try to get to our office to see a dentist within the hour of your accident.

Our dentists will do their best to save and successfully reattach your tooth. In the event that a broken or knocked-out tooth can’t be saved, there are several options available to fix your smile and protect your oral health, including veneers and bonding, dental crowns, and dental implants.

For more information about the restorative and emergency dentistry services available at Manhasset Dental Arts, contact us today to schedule an appointment with a dentist at our office in Manhasset, New York.