by Ruby Daub

What to do if you accidentally knock out a tooth

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are accidents can, and do, happen. Yes, they are a reality, so you have to be always ready to deal with them effectively.

Whether you had a trip or a  fall, the tooth was knocked out as a result of a sports accident or simply by biting into a very sticky or hard piece of food like toffee or an apple, if you find yourself holding a tooth, then don’t panic. Gather the courage to deal with it.

Whilst a knocked-out tooth, or avulsion as you may hear your dentist refer to it, is one of the most serious dental emergencies that can occur. The damage can often be fixed, but it is important that you act quickly. Seek quick medical attention to prevent any further problems.

What should you do?

When a tooth has been knocked out it isn’t just the tooth that can be damaged but also the nerves, blood vessel, and the supporting tissues as well. Whilst it isn’t possible to repair the nerves and blood vessels it is still possible to save the tooth by means of a root canal. So, it is important to call your dentist and make an emergency appointment. The sooner you see a dentist, the better chance there is that your tooth can be successfully repaired. If you are away from home, then try and find a local dentist who can see you. A simple internet search such as “Dentist Dublin”, should give you a starting point to find someone.

Whilst it is only possible to repair a permanent adult tooth in this way it is still important to see a dentist in the event of a child losing a milk tooth under these circumstances.

The following suggestions should help you to give your dentist the best chance of repairing the tooth:

• Handle the tooth as little as possible and try to avoid touching the root as this can be damaged easily
• If the tooth is dirty, you can rinse it. Hold it by the crown (the upper part) and rinse briefly with milk, if you have no milk use water. Do not scrub or wipe the tooth with anything as you could damage it.
• If it is possible, try and place the tooth back in its socket, make sure it is the correct way. Do not force or reinsert it if it is a baby tooth.
• If you cannot reinsert the tooth easily then keep it moist and take it to your dentist with you as soon as possible. Use milk, saliva (from the injured person) or water

Alternative treatments

Unfortunately, in some cases it isn’t always possible to repair the tooth that has been knocked out. This can be for any number of reasons, the root might be damaged, or the tooth has been broken, but don’t worry if this is the case there are still options available to your dentist. Your dentist might recommend fillers or an implant as a suitable alternative. They will be happy to discuss the options that are available to you and schedule the necessary work as soon as possible.

In the last one decade, vast technological developments have taken place in the medical industry. You have more choices or options now. In other words, don’t underestimate the kind of treatments that are available these days. All you need to do is trust your dentist and follow the advice that they offer. As a dental practitioner, they know what is best for your dental health, so they will definitely suggest the right treatment for you.

Read more on how to avoid major oral complications