By Advance Your Health Dental | Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S. | Calgary Dentist
Did you know that in the United States, over 5 million teeth are knocked out annually (from the American Association of Endodontists). Although statistics are not available for Canada, it can be certain that the number is similarly reflected for the size of the Canadian population. Knocked out teeth can result from sporting accidents, falls, motor vehicle accidents and other traumatic incidents.
Can A Knocked Out Tooth Be Saved by Your Emergency Dentist?
The short answer is yes, it is possible, but not guaranteed. For baby teeth, your emergency dentist will not generally recommend that this tooth be saved as the tooth would eventually fall out naturally. For an adult tooth (permanent tooth), it is possible to save the tooth; however, you must act quickly. Permanent teeth have the best chance of survival if they are reimplanted within 30 minutes of being dislodged. The earlier the knocked out tooth is placed back into its socket, the better (from the American Dental Association ). According to the Canadian Dental Association, a knocked out tooth may have a chance of survival up to two hours after being dislodged, but after that time the chances of survival are substantially diminished. Again, it is to be emphasized that a knocked out tooth is a dental emergency and you should see your Calgary emergency dentist quickly.
What steps should be taken if you or your child suffers a knocked out tooth? First, this type of dental trauma is most definitely a dental emergency and requires attention from your Calgary emergency dentist as soon as possible. Here are some steps to follow if you or your child experiences a knocked out tooth:
1. Stay Calm and Act Quickly
The number one key to remember when dealing with a knocked out tooth is to act very quickly as quick action, that is within 10 to 30 minutes, will increase the chances of the tooth being saveable.
2. Retrieve the Tooth
If the tooth is retrievable, pick it up, but avoid touching it by its roots. Grab it by its crown part only (the part you chew on).
3. Carefully and Gently Wash the Tooth
Clean any debris from the tooth very gently with warm running water. Never try to scrub the tooth or use any sorts of soaps or chemicals on the knocked out tooth. Do not try to dry the tooth with a towel or tissue. Handle the tooth very gently. The less the tooth is touched and handled, the better.
4. Try (Carefully!) To Put the Tooth Back
If possible, try to reposition the knocked out tooth back into its socket. To do this, hold the tooth gently by its crown and push it back into the socket. Bite down with very gentle pressure on the tooth to help keep it in the socket or, alternatively, try to hold it in place with your finger. Be very careful and gentle when trying to reposition the tooth as you want to avoid any further damage to the tooth, its roots or your socket.
5. Protect the Tooth
It is imperative that you keep the tooth as moist as possible. Do not wrap the knocked out tooth in paper towel or tissue. If you are unable to reposition the tooth back into its socket, if you can, place it inside your cheek until you make it to your emergency dentist. For children, only do this if you can be sure that they will not accidentally swallow the tooth. If this is not possible, place the knocked out tooth into a glass of milk or an emergency tooth kit, if you have one. You should not place the knocked out tooth into tap water as this may damage its root. Emergency tooth kits are usually available at your local drugstore, online, or from your Calgary dentist.
6. See Your Emergency Dentist in Calgary Quickly!
Optimally, you should try to see your emergency dentist within 30 minutes of the accident. When you call your dental office for your emergency dental appointment, be sure to advise the receptionist that you or your child has suffered a knocked out tooth and that the tooth has been retrieved and you would like to try to save the tooth.
What Can I Do to Avoid Suffering the Dental Emergency of a Knocked Out Tooth?
Of course, there are some types of accidents and injuries that cannot be predicted. However, for knocked out teeth that are related to sports injuries, wearing a sports guard diligently for both adults and children alike can significantly reduce the frequency of this type of dental trauma. Dr. Dirk Thompson (general Calgary dentist) can fabricate a dental sportsguard for you and your child to protect your and your child’s mouth, teeth and jaw from this type of traumatic dental injury.
If you have any questions regarding a dental emergency or what to do in the event of a dental emergency, please do not hesitate to contact our dental office in NW Calgary (Kensington/Sunnyside area). At Advance Your Health Dental, we always try to accommodate same-day dental emergency patients and, in the event of a dental emergency that is time sensitive such as a knocked out tooth, every effort will be made to see you immediately.
Please note that all of the information contained in this blog post is strictly for informational purposes only. Please always consult with your emergency dentist in Calgary for dental advice about a knocked out tooth or any other emergency dental treatment. Please note that Dr. Dirk Thompson is a general Calgary dentist and the Alberta Dental Association & College does not recognize any specialty of emergency dentistry in Alberta.
Please be advised that this blog post is for informational purposes only. It is not to be taken or used as a substitute for dental, medical or other professional advice, treatment or diagnosis. Always ask your dentist, physician or other healthcare professional for advice before altering your diet or healthcare routine. Individual patient needs and oral healthcare concerns vary so please consult your dentist for more informtion about your specific dental health requirements.
Copyright: Dirk A. Thompson Professional Corporation operating as Advance Your Health Dental. Dr. Dirk A. Thompson, D.D.S., is a general dentist in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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