Follow These Essential Dos And Don'ts If You Knock Out A Tooth

Posted on: 6 June 2018

Knocking out a tooth may be one of the scariest things that you ever have happen to you. However, if you handle the situation properly, your dentist might be able to save your tooth -- or at the very least, replace it with a very natural-looking implant. Follow these dos and don'ts after knocking out a tooth.

Do: Save the tooth.

Don't throw the tooth away! Even if the tooth looks remarkably mangled, there is a chance your dentist will be able to reinsert it in your mouth. If the tooth went flying when it got knocked out, do your best to locate it. Have a friend help if you are in too much pain or shock.

Don't: Let the tooth dry out.

If you keep the tooth moist, your dentist will have an easier time saving it. The best option is to try putting it back in its socket in your mouth. Make sure it is facing the right way! If you can't get it back in, plop it in a baggie with some milk. Water will do in the absolute worst-case scenario.

Do: Take a pain reliever.

You're going to be in some pain. Sometimes, the pain does not arise right away because of the adrenaline rush that occurs after an injury, but the pain will appear soon. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Tylenol or Advil, as soon as possible to keep this pain at bay.

Don't: Apply clove oil.

Clove oil is often used to numb the tooth pain from teething or from an infected tooth. However, it is not a good option when you've knocked out a tooth. It will cause more irritation than it cures, so stay away.

Do: Hold ice against the outside of your mouth.

Ice is always good for relieving swelling and pain. In this case, your best bet is to hold the ice against the outside of your mouth. Do not hold it against the tooth itself or the empty socket as this may reduce circulation to the tissues and affect your dentist's ability to reinsert the tooth.

Don't: Wait to call the dentist.

If your regular dentist is not open at the time of the injury, call an emergency dentist. The sooner you reach the dentist, the easier time they will have saving your tooth. If you wait until the next day to call the dentist, they probably won't be able to save your tooth.

Visit sites like http://renovoendo.com to check out emergency dentists in your area.

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When my three children were young, they were all excited to go to the dentist. The dentist's office was great fun with a large fish tank and a variety of puzzle toys in the waiting room. I liked the pediatric dental office so much that I jumped at the chance when I was offered a receptionist job. Many of the children who came to see the dentist were not nearly as happy as my children. Most kids were scared and anxious, and I learned fairly quickly that the children were worried because they had no idea what to expect. The dentist at the office provided me with a set of dental tools that I could show to the children. I explained how each of the devices worked. This eased the fears, and I started this blog so parents could share dental information with their children before dental visits.

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