It’s a beautiful spring day out. The sun is shining, and there’s a brisk breeze carrying the smell of freshly cut grass across the Bakerview playfields. You’re beaming with pride as your Johnny steps up to the plate hungry for a home run. Next thing you know an errant pitch has left Johnny holding his mouth crying, while your stomach leaps into your throat. Holding his displaced front tooth in his hand, you panic thinking your sweet boy will forever look like Halloween Jack-O-Lantern.
But not to worry! You’ve read our blog post on what to do following a dental trauma and know exactly what to do!
- When handling the knocked out tooth, always hold it by the crown, not the root!
- The root surface has vital cells on it that will play an important role in the recovery of the tooth.
- If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water.
- Do not use chemicals or scrub the tooth – again, you want those tissues on the root surface left in place!
- Do not dry the tooth
- Reposition the tooth in the socket as immediately as possible!
- Studies have shown that teeth can be replanted with good prognosis if done quickly after their displacement.
- Bite down on a handkerchief or bandage to hold the tooth in place, and call your dentist.
If for some reason you can’t replant the tooth on your own, it still may be able to repositioned by your dentist! To give the tooth its best chance possible:
- Keep the tooth moist
- Store it in a cup of milk or in your mouth next to your cheek.
- Of course use common sense when having your child hold their knocked out tooth by their cheek – you don’t want to risk their swallowing or choking on it.
- See your dentist within 30 minutes
- However if you can’t reach a dentist within 30 minutes, remember it’s still possible to save teeth that have been out of the mouth for an hour or more.
It can be very upsetting both for the child and parent when a tooth is displaced. Remember our office is here for you and will do everything we can to help! As a final note, remember this blog deals with knocked out permanent teeth only. You never want to replant a knocked out baby tooth – doing so may damage the underlying developing adult tooth. Have a happy Monday everybody!!
