A tooth that has been knocked out of your mouth, or even a loose tooth, can be a terrifying experience. Most of the time, there has been an accident or trauma, and you may be dealing with other serious injuries. When a mouth or facial injury is severe enough to result in the loss of a permanent tooth, other facial and oral structures, such as the cheeks, tongue, lips, and gums, lips, may necessitate emergency treatment.
A trip to the ER can be both frightening and expensive. You may need to go to the emergency room if your eyes, throat, and face are also injured. Treatment in an emergency room is sometimes necessary, but not always, depending on the cause of your tooth loss.
If there are any other serious injuries or a loss of consciousness, go to the hospital immediately. Your knocked-out tooth may not be the most serious of your problems. The ER doctors will X-ray your injuries and perform other diagnostic tests to evaluate your mouth and the rest of your body. For facial and oral emergencies, most hospitals have dentists on call. Your mouth and teeth may be assessed by a staff dentist during your visit.
If the tooth appears to be the only injury, acting quickly to address the problem can mean the difference between saving the tooth and losing it permanently. A dentist may be able to replant a permanent tooth into its socket if the proper emergency treatment has been set in place.
Act Quickly
If you want to restore a permanent tooth, you must act quickly. See a dentist in Bendigo as soon as possible after the accident, if at all possible. If you discover the tooth, you must proceed as follows:
- Never pick up the tooth by its root. Always use the crown or top of the tooth where you chew.
- If a tooth is dirty, rinse it with water. No chemicals or soap such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide should be used.
- Do not scrub or try to dry the tooth, and do not wrap it in a dry cloth or tissue.
If possible, replace the tooth in its socket, root first. Close your mouth slowly after gently inserting the tooth into the socket. Keep the tooth in place by gently biting it or holding it steady with your finger until you get to the dentist.
If you cannot replant the tooth, keep it moist until you can get to a dentist or an emergency room. The best liquid for keeping teeth moist is milk. If no milk is available, try placing the tooth inside your mouth next to your cheek until you can get to a dentist or an emergency room.
You can avoid all of this, in many cases, by wearing protection. Helmets and mouth guards are perfect for this. You should also wear your seatbelts to help save your teeth. Also, always have healthy, strong teeth by ensuring you provide them with proper oral care.