Accidents happen. Knowing how to react to a tooth that has been broken or knocked out can mean saving the tooth or losing it forever. Read on so you’ll know what to do should this happen to you or someone nearby.
FOR A KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH: Handle the tooth by the top portion rather than the root. Rinse the tooth, but do not clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and have the person hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place the tooth in a cup of milk or water and call us immediately. We have an after-hours number on our answering machine if our office is closed. Time is a critical factor in saving a tooth.
FOR A BROKEN TOOTH: Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the area of the injury. Save any broken tooth fragments and call us immediately.
