It may sound like a catastrophe to many people, but having a tooth knocked out doesn’t always mean you’ll need cosmetic dentistry to repair your smile. If you can keep a cool head and remember a few simple instructions, chances are your tooth can be salvaged.
The essential thing for dental patients to do if they’ve had a tooth knocked out is to find the tooth, handle it carefully, and keep it in the best condition possible so their dentist can reinsert it properly.
Do not handle the tooth by the root, be careful to only touch the crown. It’s okay to gently rinse the tooth in water, but don’t scrub it or remove any tissue fragments from the tooth.
If it is possible, the ideal place for the tooth to be held is back in the socket (placed there gently, of course). Holding the tooth between the lip and gum or under the tongue is good too, just be careful not to swallow. If neither of these is an option, place the tooth in a cup of milk.
Next, you’ll want to get to your dentist immediately. Most teeth that can be reinserted by a dentist within an hour can be saved.
Call us at 914-683-5898 immediately if you have a dental emergency!
I’m Dr. Ira Handschuh. My practice, The Dental Design Center – Ira J. Handschuh, D.D.S., is in White Plains. If you are looking for trusted dental care, I hope you’ll give us a call at 914-683-5898. We offer Invisalign, teeth whitening, restorative dentistry, complete smile makeovers, and periodontal disease.
Contact The Dental Design Center – Ira J. Handschuh, D.D.S.: 914-683-5898
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
280 Dobbs Ferry Rd Ste 104
White Plains, New York
10607
