Our implants at Greenville Family Dental are the best ways patients can replace lost teeth. However, it is sometimes possible to save a tooth that has been knocked out. The tooth must be intact and it has the best chances if the patient sees a dentist within an hour, but if patients know to follow this guide, the odds may be in their favor.
If the accident happened in a place with first aid kits, we hope the kits will be stocked with tooth cleaning solutions and containers approved by the American Dental Association. But if this is not the case, pick up the tooth by its crown, rinse it off with saltwater or milk, and then put it back in its socket. Make sure it is facing the right way and bite down on gauze to keep it in place. If the injury makes placing the tooth impossible, hold it in the cheek or in a container filled with milk or saltwater. However, saving a tooth should not take precedence over a potentially life-threatening injury, such as a massive gash.
It is important to note that only permanent teeth can be saved. Implants must be replaced, while reinserting baby teeth is not recommended because it can disrupt the growth of permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the child may be given an orthodontic spacer to preserve the rest of the teeth’s alignment until the permanent one comes in.
Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.
