How to Treat a Knocked-Out Tooth Before Seeing a Dentist

Emergency Actions for a Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a serious dental emergency. The first 30 minutes are critical for increasing the chances of saving the tooth. If your tooth gets knocked out, try to reinsert it immediately by picking it up by the crown (white chewing surface), rinsing it gently with water or milk to remove dirt, and placing it back into the socket, root first. If you can't reinsert it, store it in milk or in your cheek, against your gum, or under your tongue. Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Tooth Avulsion

Tooth avulsion often occurs due to various incidents such as falls, bicycle accidents, injuries from contact sports like football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, and martial arts, traffic accidents, or assaults. It takes a significant amount of force to cause a tooth to be knocked out of the socket.

Dental Diagnosis and Tests

The diagnosis of a knocked-out tooth depends on the situation. If you can reinsert the tooth, a healthcare provider may check and begin treatment. If you bring the tooth to them, they'll examine your mouth for other injuries before replacing it. They'll also ask about the incident that caused the avulsion and may check for signs of head injury if it was a hard fall.

Dentist's Treatment Options

If you put the tooth back in the socket, the dentist will ensure it's in the right position and place a splint to anchor it to the surrounding teeth. If they need to reinsert it, they'll follow the same process and may schedule a root canal if there's an infection in the tooth pulp. After the tooth is put back, it's important to follow certain precautions like consuming only soft food and liquids for two weeks, avoiding extreme temperatures, brushing gently, rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, taking pain relief medication as needed, and avoiding contact sports.

Complications and Alternatives

Complications of tooth replantation can include ankylosis, apical periodontitis, inflammatory issues, pulp problems, or pulp necrosis. If the tooth can't be replaced in the socket, the dentist may recommend treatments like a partial denture, dental bridge, or dental implant.

Prevention and Outlook

While it might not be possible to prevent all incidents that cause tooth avulsion, wearing a mouth guard during contact sports can offer some protection. If the tooth is reinserted, you'll have regular follow-up appointments with your dentist. A reinserted tooth may stay in place for 10 to 20 years, but it may eventually come loose or fall out, requiring replacement treatment.

Self-Care and Dentist Visits

Protect your replanted tooth during healing by not touching the splint, eating soft foods, using a soft toothbrush, following up with the dentist for regular checks, and wearing a mouth guard during contact sports. See your dentist if you experience bleeding, continued tooth pain, swelling, or tooth discoloration. You may also have questions for your dentist about the success of the replantation process, the need for a root canal, and more.