Knocked out teeth? Here's what to do in this emergency

What should you do if you've lost teeth due to trauma? This is classified as a dental emergency. If you get to your Calgary dentist’s office soon enough, they might be able to save your tooth.  

What causes knocked out teeth?

The result of an impact to the face or jaw can cause injuries such as knocked out teeth. 

If you are dealing with knocked out teeth, take these steps:

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (don’t touch the root).

Attempt to retrieve your tooth immediately after you lose it. Pick the tooth up carefully by the crown (the part exposed above the gum line when it is in your mouth). 

2. Gently rinse the tooth with water if it’s dirty.

Use only water to rinse any dirt or debris from your tooth. Avoid using soap or chemicals. Do not scrub or dry the tooth, or wrap it in tissue or cloth, as any of these actions can lead to damage. 

3. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket.

Try placing the tooth back in its socket right away. You can attempt to push it in gently (continuing to touch the crown only - not the root). Another option is to try positioning the tooth above the socket. 

Close your mouth slowly to push it in. Hold the tooth in place using a finger. You might also bite down on it.

4. Keep the tooth moist.

If you’re unable to place the tooth back in its socket, it must be kept moist until you get to the dentist. Place it in a cup of milk, or keep it in your mouth next to your cheek. Avoid storing it in regular tap water, as the root surface cells will not be able to tolerate water for an extended period of time.

Using this method of preserving a tooth may increase the likelihood of your dentist being able to replace it.

5. Within 30 minutes of the injury, get to your dentist’s office.

Ideally, you should go to your dentist’s office within 30 minutes of losing any teeth. However, it may still be possible for your dentist to save a tooth if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.

How can I prepare for a dental emergency at home?

Dental emergencies can happen any time of the day or night. There are some things you can do at home to prepare in case you experience one.

Keep these things around the house at all times, as they are handy to have in a dental emergency:

• Over-the-counter painkiller (such as ibuprofen)
• Ice pack
• Small container with lid to preserve a knocked out tooth
• Gauze
• The phone number of our Calgary dentist’s office

Type "dentist near me" into your favourite search engine, and our information will likely come up. As soon as you feel safe and are able to call our office, do so. We will make room in our schedule to see you as soon as possible.

Do you have questions about what to do with a knocked out tooth? Contact our Calgary dentists right away.