Have a Toothache or Dental Emergency?
Do you have a knocked out tooth? Is a painful abscess or toothache keeping you awake at night? Don’t put off treatment in the hopes that the pain will go away on its own. Tooth pain always indicates that something is wrong and should be looked into.
Dental emergencies can include:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Soft tissue injuries
- Knocked out or loose teeth
- Persistent toothaches
At Blue Sky Family Dentistry in Redmond, Oregon, we prioritize dental emergencies. If you have a dental emergency, please call us. Most dental emergencies can be treated the same day.
Tooth Knocked Out? Here's What You Should Do…
A knocked out tooth can be saved up to an hour outside of its socket. If your tooth has been knocked out, follow these guidelines and see your dentist as soon as possible.
1. See if you can reinsert the tooth into its socket.
In some instances it is possible to reinsert a tooth back into the socket without too much force. If you are able to get the tooth back into the socket, you should still visit with your dentist.
2. Avoid cleaning the tooth.
Even if the tooth falls on the ground, resist the impulse to try and clean it as this can damage the tooth.
3. Only handle the tooth by its crown.
Tooth roots are extremely sensitive and can be easily damaged, which can compromise saving the tooth. Therefore, you should only handle the tooth by the crown.
4. Hold the tooth in your cheek or glass of milk.
If you are unable to reinsert the tooth into its socket, the next-best option is to keep it in your cheek, in a spit-moistened paper towel, or in a glass of milk since it has a pH level similar to human saliva.
5. Visit a dentist as soon as possible.
Remember, even if you are able to successfully reinsert the tooth, you should still visit with your dentist. A tooth knocked out due to dental trauma might also mean the alveolar ridge is damaged. If a tooth falls out on its own after becoming looks it likely means you are suffering from advanced periodontal disease.
