We are well into the school holiday period and it’s lovely to see children outside playing and having fun. However, accidents happen, and it is important to know what to do if a child or adult suffers a mouth injury and a tooth is knocked out completely.
Please find below invaluable advice on the immediate actions you should take, which could save the tooth.
Knocked Out Teeth
More than five million teeth are knocked out every year, but an injury or accident doesn’t necessarily mean a tooth is lost for good.
Proper emergency action can save the tooth so that it can be successfully replanted. If you experience a dental emergency, please contact us immediately for guidance and urgent care.
Act quickly, within 30 minutes, and visit the nearest dentist.
Please review and remember these essential steps to save a knocked-out tooth before you can reach medical support:
1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) NOT the root.
Locate the tooth immediately; don’t leave it at the site of the accident. Handle the tooth carefully when you pick it up, and never touch the root of the tooth, only the crown (chewing surface).
2. If dirty, gently rinse the tooth with water.
Use only water to gently rinse off any dirt. Do not use soap or chemicals. Don’t scrub or dry the tooth, and don’t wrap the tooth in a tissue or cloth.
3. Reposition the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible.
Reposition the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible. Gently push it in with your fingers or position it above the socket and close your mouth slowly. Hold it in place with your fingers or by gently biting down.
4. Keep the tooth moist at all times.
Reposition the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible. Gently push it in with your fingers or position it above the socket and close your mouth slowly. Hold it in place with your fingers or by gently biting down.
5. See a dentist within 30 minutes of the injury.
Bring the tooth with you to your emergency appointment ideally. It’s best to see the dentist within 30 minutes; however, it is possible to save a tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.
If you or your child suffers a knocked-out tooth, contact our dental team immediately for urgent advice and care. Acting quickly could make all the difference in saving the tooth.
