Anyone can have their tooth knocked out. It may feel like there’s nothing that can be done to fix it, but the proper steps and quick action can still save it and make it last for years.

The first thing to do is move quickly so your dentist can help fix the tooth. It’s a dental emergency, so if the dental office is open, chances are you can book a visit on the same day.

What You Can Do to Boost Your Chances of Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth

• First, pick up the tooth. Do not hold it by its roots. Instead, hold it by its crown or its visible part.

• Rinse it with plain water if it has dust or debris, but don’t brush it or wipe it with tissue.

• Try to reinsert it and bite down on it to keep it in place.

• You may also submerge it in milk to keep it moist. If milk isn’t available, you may use your saliva. Spit it in a glass or container and place the tooth inside. Don’t let the tooth dry out.

• If it’s a baby tooth, keep it in a container and bring it to the dental office as soon as possible. Reattaching it may damage the tooth underneath it.

How a Dentist Addresses a Knocked-Out Tooth

Once you’re at the dental office, your dentist may take the following steps:

• If you reinserted the tooth yourself, your dentist will check its position to ensure it’s properly attached. If you placed it in a glass of milk or saliva, they‘ll try putting the tooth back into the socket.

• Your dentist will use water to clean out the space between your teeth. The tooth will then be put back in its original position. The best time to ensure a successful reattachment is within an hour of the accident.

• To put the tooth back in place, your dentist will use a soft wire or composite material to “splint” or connect it to the teeth on either side. This will be used for a few days to secure the teeth. Your dentist will decide how long you need to wear the splint.

• After two weeks, they’ll take an X-ray to ensure the tooth is properly secured and in the right place.

In some cases, it’s easy to put the tooth back together. The chances of getting this done successfully are higher if you make it to the dental office quickly.

• If a tooth or bone is broken, reattachment can be difficult. A root canal therapy may be done right away, or the dentist may decide to wait. How long the tooth has been out of the mouth and other factors will affect the appropriate course of action.

• If the bone around the tooth is intact, the root will generally reattach to the bone firmly in 3-4 weeks. It could take 6-8 weeks to fix if there's more damage.

• In 3-6 months, your dentist will likely schedule you for an assessment to check the condition of the tooth. If the tooth is attaching properly, the next time you'll need to go to the dental office is for your annual checkup.

• You’ll need to come back sooner if there are signs of an infection. Your dentist will check the tooth from time to time over the next few years to make sure it's still in place.

If you have a dental emergency in Pinehurst or Woodlands, TX, get in touch with us at Happy Sapiens Dental. We have multiple dentists and specialists who can provide you with immediate dental care. Whether your concern is a knocked-out tooth or a persistent toothache, we’re here to help you feel better as soon as possible.

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