Emergency Action: Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth Within 60 Minutes

Summary:

Losing baby teeth is expected; they give way to adult teeth. However, the same can’t be said for permanent teeth. 

Once you lose your permanent teeth, it becomes a dental emergency. 

Wonder why? Because once out of the socket, it’s almost impossible to put your teeth back in place. Such instances require immediate assistance from your emergency dentist. 

Interestingly, the quickness of your response could be the difference between saving or losing your tooth. Oral experts suggest saving knocked-out teeth during the golden hour (the first hour after the accident) is possible.

Since it’s not possible without the right plan, this article focuses on topics like: 

• Knocked-Out Tooth – The Importance Of Immediate Action
• Actions To Take Within 60 Minutes Of Knocked Out Tooth
• How Can A Dentist Save Your Knocked-Out Tooth?
• Long-Term Care After Tooth Knock-Out

Continue reading in the following sections as we learn more about how you can save your smile. 

Knocked-Out Tooth – The Importance Of Immediate Action

Every year, over 5+ million people experience a tooth knockout. 

A knocked-out occurs when a tooth gets displaced from its socket, followed by bleeding and pain. It is also known as avulsed tooth, usually caused by sports injuries, accidents, physical fights, etc. 

What Happens When A Teeth is Knocked Out?

The root of your teeth is very delicate, surrounded by gum tissues and ligaments. It plays a vital role in supporting the teeth to your jawbone. When your tooth gets knocked out, the tissues and ligaments are damaged, causing the tooth to fall out. 

The longer your tooth remains away from its socket, the lower the chances of saving it. That is why you must take the necessary actions within 60 minutes of injury to increase the chances of reimplantation. 

Actions To Take Within 60 Minutes Of Knocked Out Tooth

We understand that a knocked-out tooth can be painful and overwhelming. But instead of panicking, here’s what you should do to save your pearly whites:

1. Stay Calm and Locate Your Tooth

Calm down! Yes, that’s the first thing you must do before you begin hunting for your lost tooth. Otherwise, you may lose concentration during the process. 

Once normal, look for your knocked-out tooth where you were injured. You can also consider asking your friends and relatives who are there to assist you in finding the missing bits of your teeth. 

2. Handle Your Tooth Gently

After finding the tooth, pick it up using the enamel, not its root. Avoid touching your roots as much as possible. They have delicate ligaments and tissues that can get damaged or infected. 

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with milk or lukewarm water. You can also keep the tooth in milk till you visit your dentist. 

3. Try To Reimplant Your Teeth

There are times when teeth are loose but not knocked off. So, if you find yourself in a situation where your tooth hasn’t fallen out of the socket, and the roots are still connected, try to keep it stable. 

Guide your teeth gently to its socket and press it with your teeth (not too hard) to keep it in place. It will increase the chances of tooth reimplantation by a dentist. 

4. Navigate Cautiously

Once done saving your teeth, it’s crucial to reach out to your Kelly Dental dentist in the first hour and get your concerns addressed. While on your way, keep the tooth moist and apply mild pressure to keep it in place. 

Remember, dental emergencies can be challenging to navigate. To avoid complications, you must visit your oral expert as soon as possible. 

How Can A Dentist Save Your Knocked-Out Tooth?

Quick action can help save a knocked-out tooth. Dentists employ several techniques to preserve and reinsert your dislodged tooth. 

Here are three common procedures dentists resort to save your knocked-out teeth:

1. Reimplantation

If you successfully reach your experts for dental emergencies in Huntingburg during the golden hour, they have a high chance of saving your smile. 

During your visit, your dentist will clean your socket, surrounding areas, and the tooth to remove dirt or bacteria. Following this, they will gently reinsert your tooth using various dental care techniques.

2. Root Canal Therapy

Sometimes, successful tooth reimplantation may require further treatment. Trauma can harm the tooth’s nerve and blood supply, leading to infection or necrosis. 

Your dentist may perform root canal therapy to remove infected tissues, sterilize the affected area, and seal the tooth. This procedure can often save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.

3. Splinting

Reimplanted teeth or those undergoing root canal therapy may require stabilization for proper healing. Splinting involves bonding the injured tooth to neighboring teeth using dental adhesive or a wire framework. 

It keeps the tooth in place, allowing surrounding tissues to heal. Dentists keep splints for a certain period. Once done, they are removed to assess the tooth’s stability.

Long-Term Care After Tooth Knock-Out

We understand your concern about a knocked-out tooth and are here to guide you through the necessary steps for long-term care. 

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Embrace Soft Diet

Following the incident, opt for softer food options to minimize stress on your mouth. Switch to yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, and smoothies. These choices are not only gentle but also aid in the healing process. Once your tooth is healed, you can return to your normal eating habits.

2. Follow Proper Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is essential for preventing infections and facilitating healing. Brush your teeth gently twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Rinsing with saltwater or an antiseptic mouthwash can further promote cleanliness and healing.

3. Ensure Regular Dental Check-Ups

Maintaining regular appointments with your dentist to monitor progress and address concerns promptly is crucial. Your dentist will assess the condition of your remaining teeth and gums and provide further treatment if necessary.

4. Adopt Protective Measures

If a tooth was knocked out due to physical trauma, consider wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard during sports or other activities. This extra layer of protection can significantly reduce the risk of future tooth injuries. You can also wear mouthguards to prevent injuries in the future if you are on an athletic field. 

Takeaway

• A knocked-out tooth, often caused by sports injuries, accidents, or physical altercations, demands quick action.
• When a tooth is knocked out, the delicate tissues and ligaments surrounding its root are damaged.
• To avoid further damage, handle the tooth gently, picking it up by the crown rather than the root.
• Promptly visiting a dentist after saving the tooth is essential to prevent complications.
• Dentists employ reimplantation, root canal therapy, and splinting techniques to save knocked-out teeth.
• Long-term care includes adopting a soft diet, maintaining proper oral hygiene, wearing mouthguards, and attending regular dental check-ups.
• Every smile is worth saving! Don’t compromise with your opportunity to smile. Visit us at Kelly Family Dentistry to know more!