A knocked out tooth can happen to adults and kids. It is a common result of an active lifestyle or an accident. Saving the tooth is important. This will keep it alive for re-implantation with the help of your endodontist. If you want to find out what you must do to save your knocked out tooth, here are the details.
Refraining from touching the dental roots is a good start. The roots contain periodontal ligaments important for healing. Handling the tooth by the crown will keep the tooth alive and uninjured. Attempting to re-implant a baby tooth is not ideal. This runs the risk of damaging the developing permanent tooth.
Rinsing the knocked out tooth for a few seconds in tap water is enough to clean it. Endodontists do not recommend scrubbing the tooth. This damages the roots, making the tooth unfit for re-implantation. Placing the tooth in milk will keep the tooth alive and moist. Going to the nearest emergency dental clinic within the hour of the trauma will be ideal for the tooth’s survival.
Placing the tooth back in its socket is the most natural way to transport it to the emergency dental clinic. Doing this gently will prevent damaging the roots and the socket. It is fine even if the tooth is a little out of the socket. The patient can hold the tooth in place by keeping a moist tea bag or a sterile gauze in a gentle bite. This will also stop the bleeding.
Putting the knocked out tooth under the tongue or between gums and cheek can also work. This technique works for adults. Children could swallow the tooth this way. Keeping the tooth in a glass of milk can also keep the knocked out tooth alive. Mouthwash, saltwater, and alcohol will kill the tooth.
Time and storage are important in the knocked out tooth’s survival. Re-implanting the tooth within five minutes the right way increases its survival. Doing so between five and 60 minutes will be successful as well as long as the tooth’s storage is proper. Seeing the emergency endodontist can re-implant the knocked out tooth before it starts to deteriorate and die.
The dentist must re-implant the tooth and splint it on both sides. Splinting must happen for two to about eight weeks. The dentist will perform root canal treatment. This will help the tooth re-set and survive longer.
It is important to protect the splinted, knocked out tooth. Keeping it intact can help it heal better. This means refraining from playing contact sports until the tooth heals. The root canal therapy-treated knocked out tooth should not be used to chew or bite for a while. A dental crown can protect the tooth from future injuries.
Preventing injuries or accidents from knocking out the tooth means wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports. This applies to active adults and children. Preventing teeth from being knocked out can spare the individual from pain and stress. It can also help protect one’s dental and general health.
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Keeping teeth intact can be difficult if you live an active lifestyle. That is why protecting teeth with a mouthguard is necessary. A knocked out tooth must have proper storage until you reach your emergency dentist’s clinic. That way, your endodontist can re-implant the tooth and perform root canal therapy. This will help the tooth live longer in its socket.
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