knocked out tooth

How To Handle a Cracked or Knocked Out Tooth

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, the young and old, including those who faithfully visit their dentists twice a year for teeth cleaning.  So what should you do if you are faced with a serious dental problem? 

These situations vary, but here are two common dental emergencies and how you should handle them if they happen to you:

A Cracked Tooth

This is one of the most common predicaments you may find yourself in.  If you’ve fallen and cracked a tooth or injured it by some other means, you should pour warm water into a glass and rinse your mouth with the water immediately.

In addition, if your mouth is beginning to swell as a result of the injury, place a cold compress on the area.  Then call your dentist for an emergency appointment.

A Knocked Out Tooth

This is another situation that many people face.  If you knocked one of your teeth out, locate the tooth and rinse it with warm water to clean it if it’s dirty.   Do not use soap or any chemicals on the tooth.  Warm water is all that is needed.

Do not allow the tooth to dry out.  It must remain moist. Therefore, if possible, reposition the tooth in the socket and hold it there by biting down on it or pressing down on it with your fingers. If you are unable to do that, place the tooth in a tooth preservation kit, if you own one, or in some milk.  Do not place it in water.

Get to a dentist immediately for an emergency appointment.  The tooth can be saved if you get into a dentist within the hour.

These two dental emergencies happen to adults and children.  However with proper attention by a qualified professional, there can be a solution to these problems.

Trauma And Accidents Can Lead To Dental Emergencies

a man with a knocked out toothDental emergencies are often caused by trauma and accidents. Injury to your face or mouth area can be caused when you are playing contact sports or if you are involved in a car accident. Or, your face can hit the floor if you slipped and fell. As a result, your tooth can be broken, knocked loose or completely knocked out. At times like these, it is important to seek emergency dental care right away.

We always have special appointments set aside for patients who need to be seen right away due to an emergency. If your tooth is knocked out, there is a window of time where it is still possible to save your tooth and replant it back into the socket. It is crucial that you see us as soon as possible.

If you wait too long before you see us, you may miss that opportunity in saving your tooth.

Have You Had a Trauma of Accident That Has Caused Injury To Your Teeth or Gums?

There are certain immediate procedures that you should follow in preserving your tooth as you are making your way to our Milwaukee dental clinic.

When your tooth is knocked out, there are gum tissue and roots that are still attached to the tooth. You want to preserve these tissues which are important in replanting your tooth back into your mouth. Pick up your tooth by the crown, not by the roots. Rinse the tooth gently with water to remove any dirt on it, making sure that the gum tissue and roots are not washed off. If possible, put the tooth back into the socket and try to keep it in place as you head to our dental clinic. If your tooth cannot stay in place, put it in some milk or in some saliva in a cup. Control your bleeding and put a cold compress on your face to control the swelling.

If your tooth is knocked out of position but is still attached to its socket, try to gently move your tooth back into position and call us immediately for an emergency appointment.

Every minute counts in saving your tooth. Follow the steps described above and see us right away. We will use every effort in saving your tooth and restoring your beautiful smile.

You only have one set of natural adult teeth. With proper care, your teeth should last you a lifetime. Therefore, if you ever sustain an injury to your teeth due to an accident or trauma, call our Milwaukee office right away to make an emergency dental appointment.