Edmonton Emergency Dentists
Knocked out tooth
Do you have a knocked out tooth? Has your tooth been damaged in an accident? Those who play contact sports, trip and fall, or bite down on a solid object may end up with a knocked out tooth—These dental emergencies can happen to anyone.
A knocked out tooth is a serious injury. But it’s not a lost cause. If you take immediate action, you can prevent the loss of your tooth.
The sooner you call our hotline, the lower your risk is of losing the tooth. Quick treatment is the key to saving a knocked out tooth. By scheduling a treatment, a dentist can treat your issue quickly and efficiently. In these situations, every minute matters; if you lose a tooth outside of regular business hours, you can’t wait until the next day.
This is why it’s imperative to call as soon as possible when you have a knocked out tooth. A dentist can provide treatment that prevents the risk of an infection or damage to the jaw bone, surrounding teeth, and gums. Worse case a root canal may need to be performed.
If you have a missing tooth from an injury, here are a few steps you must take to save it before going to the dentist’s office:
Can A Knocked Out Tooth Be Saved?
After losing a tooth, you might fear that it could be gone for good. However, the sooner you see a dentist, the better your chances are of saving the lost tooth.
With a knocked out tooth, there is a small window of time where it can be successfully re-implanted into the gums. We’re going to detail what you need to do after losing a tooth.
First Aid & What To Do First
A knocked out tooth can lead to pain and infection if it isn’t treated quickly. Here’s what you should do immediately after losing a tooth:
Step 1
Call an emergency dental clinic in Edmonton
To save your tooth from an injury, you need to arrange to see a dentist immediately. This issue is time-sensitive, and without quick treatment, the tooth cannot be saved. The first thing you should do is call for emergency care.
Step 2
Avoid touching or rinsing the underside of the tooth and do your best to preserve the tissue that remains there. You can gently remove any dirt from the top of the tooth. Next, try inserting the tooth back into the socket. Your chances of saving the knocked out tooth are much better if you attempt to reinsert it. To help it hold, you can gently bite down on a piece of gauze.
Step 3
If you can’t fit the tooth back in the socket, your next best bet is to make sure it doesn’t dry out. Place the tooth in milk; this can preserve and hydrate the tooth while you wait to see your dentist.
emergency Dentist Procedure
When you arrive at the dental clinic, you’ll be given a local anaesthetic to reduce your pain.
After the tooth is re-implanted in the socket, a root canal treatment will be done to remove the damaged nerves from the tooth. If the area needs to heal before the root canal treatment, they might use a stabilizing splint in the meantime.
To control your discomfort levels after the procedure, your dentist may prescribe you pain-relieving medication.
If the dentist cannot recover the lost tooth, other treatment options are available, including dentures, dental implants, root canal, or bridges.
Preventative Measures
Our teeth are important tools that we use throughout our lifetime. By taking care of your smile, you can preserve your teeth and avoid the most serious dental emergencies. How can you prevent a knocked out tooth in the first place? Keep these tips in mind to prevent tooth loss:
Don’t open things with your teeth
We’ve all been there—you’re trying to open a plastic package, but it just won’t budge. Instead of reaching for the scissors, you’re tempted to tear it with your teeth.
But if you can’t open something with your hands, it will likely do some damage to your teeth. Cracks and chips can make a tooth more susceptible to getting knocked out.
Visit the dentist regularly
A tooth may be more likely to fall out if it is decayed or if the gums are receding. Boost your defences against decay by scheduling regular cleanings. Preventative maintenance will help your teeth withstand damage.
Avoid chewing ice and hard candies
You may have heard this before, and it is very important: If it’s hard to eat, don’t bite it at all! Biting something hard can easily knock out a tooth. As well, eating too many sweets may indirectly cause the loss of a tooth due to the high sugar content, which can erode the enamel.
Wear a mouthguard
If you play contact sports, wearing a mouthguard is a must! A number of incidents could result in a tooth knocked out from a ball to the face to a body check.
Mouthguards offer a layer of protection to teeth during activities that may lead to injuries. Your dentist can make you a customized mouthguard designed to fit your teeth.
Book Your Appointment Today
If you have a knocked out tooth, don’t hesitate to call an emergency dentist. You need immediate medical attention in order to save your tooth, minimize pain, and reduce damage.
At Edmonton Emergency Dentists, we understand that a knocked out tooth can’t wait until the next day. That’s why we offer 24-hour service, 7 days a week. When you call our dental clinic, we’ll do our best to save your tooth.
Save your tooth by calling us today. We’ll arrange for an emergency dentist in Edmonton ASAP. Protect your smile!