Boys, and sometimes girls, often lose a tooth accidentally. But if you act quickly it is actually possible to save it. Dr. Kirk Petersen, DMD, who runs Hemet West Dental Office in Hemet, California, talks here about the steps you should take when dealing with a knocked-out tooth…
People who come to a dentist with knocked-out teeth are most likely boys from the age of maybe eight to 16. We actually find that the most common reason for the knocked-out teeth are bicycles and skateboards, although we get a couple of kids who lose teeth as the result of getting into fights. Skateboards are probably the most common reason for losing a tooth, and that is the reason that it is so important to wear sports mouthguards.
Successful Reimplantation
With timely action and some knowledge, a tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket often can be successfully reimplanted and last for years. However, you need to know what to do in case this happens to you or someone with you. Time is of the essence. So act quickly but knowledgeably.
The best thing to do if you or your child loses a tooth is rinse off the tooth lightly, do not scrub it, and put it between the heek and the gum, kind of like chewing tobacco. The second best thing is to put it in milk. Milk is the liquid of choice because it keeps the tooth hydrated and it doesn’t dilute the proteins and the salt that are in the tissue that surround it.
Please follow these exact steps if a tooth gets knocked out:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (which is the chewing surface) and not by the root. If the tooth is dirty, hold it by the crown and rinse it gently with water. Your goal is simply to remove the dirt from the surface of the tooth. Do not use any soap or chemicals, do not scrub or dry the tooth and do not wrap it in a tissue.
- Next, place the tooth back in the socket as soon as possible. The sooner the tooth is back in its original position, the better the chances it will have to survive. Place the tooth back in the socket with your fingers or place it above the socket and slowly close your mouth. Hold the tooth in place with gentle biting pressure or with your fingers.
- If you can’t get the tooth back in the socket, the tooth must be kept moist by placing it in either milk, inside your cheek or use a tooth preservation kit available at your pharmacy. The last option is to place the tooth in water with a pinch of salt.
Finally, no matter what happens, when a tooth is lost, call your dentist right away. If we can see you within 30 minutes, we can begin the process of trying to save the tooth, and you have the best chance of keeping it.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
