Unfortunately accidents happen and sometimes this can result in mouth trauma or even knocked out teeth. This can occur from an unexpected blow to the mouth, a fall, or even from playing contact sports, especially when not wearing a mouth guard.
However if you act quickly, there is often a chance that the knocked out tooth can be saved; But Only if you come and see us as quickly, within 30 minutes if possible, as this is a dental emergency.
What should you do if you’ve experienced knocked out teeth?
There are number of things you can do to help us. If you can find the tooth and it is intact, then:
Make sure you hold it by the crown of the tooth when handling or picking it up; and try to avoid touching the root of the tooth to help minimise any further damage.
If the tooth is dirty, then very gently rinse it, if possible in either milk or water. Do not try to scrub the tooth or dry it afterwards.
Always try to carefully put the tooth straight back into the socket in your mouth if possible. It’s also important that the tooth remains moist and doesn’t dry out. Hold the tooth into position with your fingers, or by gently biting down, and come to see us straight away.
If you’re dealing with a child and you cannot reposition the tooth back into the socket due to the risk of them swallowing it, then keep it in a glass of milk or inside your cheek. The most important points are to keep the tooth moist, and come and see us straight away.
If you’re dealing with a child and you cannot reposition the tooth back into the socket due to the risk of them swallowing it, then keep it in a glass of milk or inside your cheek. The most important points are to keep the tooth moist, and come and see us straight away.
So what does the treatment for knocked out teeth involve?
It all depends on the extent of damage to the knocked out tooth or supporting bone from the accident; or how long the tooth was out of the socket. Sometimes replacing the tooth can be simple and other times more complicated. We’ll first need to check it has been positioned back properly, adjust if necessary, and take an X-ray. Root canal treatment may be required, or we may splint the injured tooth to the teeth either side to hold it in place while the root reattaches to the bone. The worst case scenario is that the tooth cannot be saved.
What if the knocked out tooth cannot be saved?
If you couldn’t find your tooth or it can’t be saved, don’t worry; you still have other options. To fill the gap you could have a denture, bridge, or implant fitted. This will restore your confidence, especially if the affected tooth is at the front of your mouth.
If this is the case, Dr Karim and the team will discuss these options with you after treatment. Remember if you play contact sports then always wear a mouth guard and if you do suffer a knocked out tooth, make sure you follow the advice above and contact us immediately on 0161 485 7376. Patients can rest assured that with our experienced team, they’re in the best possible hands.