‘Knocked’ is a relatively benign word for a jolt so violent it dislodges a tooth. Ouch!
We hope this never happens to you.
But…
if it does, here is what you should do.
1. Find the Tooth
If you’re in panic mode, ask for help. When you find the tooth, handle it carefully. Keep it in the best condition possible.
Your dentist may be able to reinsert it.
2. Don’t Touch the Root!
It’s important to NOT handle the tooth by the root. Only touch the crown. It’s okay to gently rinse the tooth in water. But don’t scrub it or remove any tissue fragments from the tooth.
This is crucial: don’t take off any tissue from the tooth. That bloody goo is valuable. It can help your tooth re-attach.
If possible, the prime place for the tooth to be held is back where it came from—in the socket. If you decide to put it there, place it gently.
If it’s a young child that has the injury, it’s best not to put it back in the socket. Ditto for people who have a strong gag reflex.
3. Keep the Tooth Safe
Holding the tooth between the lip and gum or under the tongue is good too. But be careful you don’t swallow it. If neither of these is an option, place the tooth in a cup of milk.
4. Call Your Dentist ASAP!
Next, you’ll want to get to Boulder County Smiles ASAP. Many teeth that are reinserted by a dentist within an hour can be saved.
Having a tooth knocked out doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need cosmetic dentistry to correct your smile. But if the tooth can’t be saved, we can replace it with a dental implant.
Call us at 303-665-5335 immediately if you have a tooth knocked out (wrenched violently from your jaw).
Contact Boulder County Smiles:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026
