Avulsed tooth or tooth knocked out
TOOTH KNOCKED OUT FOR ADULTS
If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves and blood vessels become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.
Call the dentist.
Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.
The dentist will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary.
TOOTH KNOCKED OUT FOR CHILDREN
What do I do if my child knocks their tooth out?
Immediate management will optimise the rate of success in all dental trauma cases. Always attempt to retrieve the tooth if it has been knocked out completely. If emergency medical help is at hand ie. first aid at a sports carnival, consult them for help.
First determine whether it is an adult or baby tooth.
In the case of a baby tooth being knocked out, do not replace the tooth into the socket. Keep the tooth if you can find it and contact us for an emergency appointment, simply to ensure that it is in fact a baby tooth, the surrounding teeth remain sound and the soft tissue damage is not severe.
In the case of a dislodged adult tooth. If the tooth can be retrieved and is not contaminated, replace the tooth in the socket as soon as possible – ensure you have it the right way round! If the tooth has been contaminated with debris, rinse for ten seconds under cool running water and replace the tooth in the socket. In either case contact us immediately for an emergency dental visit as soon as possible.
If the tooth can not be repositioned at the time of the accident. Keep the tooth stored in whole milk or alternatively tucked in the cheek of the patient, careful not to swallow the tooth, and contact us immediately for an emergency dental visit.
If the tooth is partially dislodged, and no longer in its normal position, contact us as soon as possible for an emergency dental appointment. Any delay in treatment will negatively affect the chances of success.
