How To Save Broken Teeth?
Teeth that have been knocked out are called avulsed teeth.
A tooth can be knocked out by any sort of blow to the mouth, especially while playing contact sports. Teeth can be replaced in the socket successfully if proper action is taken as soon as possible.
I’m Bleeding, What Should I Do?
Get a clean cloth and fold it up, then hold it over the socket and bite down. Keep your jaws together to apply pressure.
If you need to take a painkiller, avoid anything with aspirin as this can cause the bleeding to get worse. Do not apply any oils to the wound.
I’ve still got the whole tooth, can it be replaced?
It’s tough to say for sure. The complete tooth needs to be replaced in the socket as soon as possible, ideally in under 30 minutes. But teeth have been successfully replaced up to 60 minutes after being knocked out.
What should I do with the tooth?
Avoid touching the root. If it is very dirty, you can rinse it off but do not clean it with disinfectant or let it dry out.
How do I put the tooth back in?
Hold it by the crown and push the root back into the socket while applying pressure.
If that’s not possible, your tooth has a higher chance of survival if you keep it in your cheek until you can get emergency dental treatment. This will keep the tooth in its most natural environment.
If this is not possible, keep it in some milk. Milk is a good medium because contains proteins that keep a constant acid-to-alkaline ratio, anti-bacterial substances, as well as sugars to keep the cells growing.
What if I’ve only got part of the tooth?
It is not a good idea to try and put the tooth back into the socket if it is not complete. Contact your dental office as soon as possible and they will tell you what can be done to restore the tooth. You may need dental x-rays to see if there is any root damage.
Photo credit: Doral Sedation & Family Dentistry
What if it is a baby tooth?
You shouldn’t be putting back a baby tooth in case an infection damaged the adult tooth underneath. Your dentist may want to examine the socket to check if any bits of the tooth are still in the gum.
What dental treatment should I expect?
Emergency dental treatment is very important at this point. Contact your dental practice as soon as possible and explain what has happened.
Your dentist will assess you. However, treatment may be limited if there is any bruising or bleeding. They may take x-rays and will check if the tooth has re-implanted successfully. You will probably need more appointments for follow-up treatment.
If the tooth has re-implanted successfully you may not need any other treatment, as long as you keep up your regular check-ups with your dentist.
If the tooth is lost or doesn’t re-implant successfully, it can be replaced at first with a denture. Then, when the socket has healed fully, you can have a bridge or dental implant.
How do I avoid getting a tooth knocked out?
If you are playing sports, especially contact sports, you should always wear a mouthguard.
At TAG Dental Clinic, we make them by taking an impression of your teeth so that it fits your mouth exactly.