If your child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth, it is important to stay calm, but act quickly. If you take the proper steps, you can save the tooth, as well as a great deal of money. First, however, you should understand that every human has a set of baby teeth that are designed to fall out over time. If this happens, there is nothing to worry about. It is only when a permanent tooth falls out that you need to react. Baby teeth are smooth on the bottom, and fall out painlessly. If a permanent tooth falls out, it probably was very painful.
Steps To Take
If a permanent tooth falls out, this is what you should do:
- Call Your Dentist – Get your regular dentist in San Clemente, CA on the phone as soon as you can and follow his or her directions. No matter what happens, you should always get to a dentist as soon as possible. Some dentists provide emergency services and can come to you. Other times, you will need to go to your dentist. If you cannot get a hold of your regular dentist, search for other dentists that are nearby and try to contact them.
- Address the Bleeding – If a permanent tooth falls out, it will likely be accompanied by bleeding, although not always. If it is bleeding, use a cloth to remove the excess blood. Then, you should check to make sure no broken pieces of the tooth cut the tongue, cheeks, or gums. Try your best to remove any shards, but be careful not to cause any further damage by forcing it. An icepack can be used to reduce swelling and bleeding.
- Reinsert the Tooth – If the tooth is in one piece, rinse it off with milk or bottled water. Do not use tap water to rinse the tooth. Once it is clean, attempt to reinsert it. Hold it by the top, orient it the correct way, and push it into the gap until it is level with the other teeth. If you do this quickly enough, it may permanently stay in with no issues, although you should always see a dentist regardless.
- Store the Tooth – If you cannot reinsert the tooth, store it correctly until you can see a dentist. The best way to store a tooth is in saliva. Spit in a container until the tooth can be fully submerged. Don’t forget to take the tooth with you to the dentist.
Following these steps can mean the difference between losing the tooth permanently and having it reinserted quickly and painlessly.
Thanks to John Redmond Orthodontics for their insight into dental care and steps to take if a child’s permanent tooth is knocked out.