My neighbor’s son plays soccer and they invited me to a game. I thought this was supposed to be a no-contact sport but two members from opposite teams ended up in a fight. One of them lost a tooth. He just tossed it. But, I thought maybe it was possible to save an adult tooth, even if it was knocked out. Am I wrong about that?
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
It is possible for a knocked out permanent tooth to be saved, but only under certain conditions.
First, you have to get to the dentist within 30 minutes to have a chance of saving the tooth. Because this is a dental emergency, they will see you right away. In fact, it’s encouraged you call them ahead of time and let them know you’re on your way, along with what happened. This way they can be ready for you as soon as you get there.
If you don’t have a regular dentist, you can call a dentist who sees non-established patients in cases of emergencies. You can do an internet search for an emergency dentist to locate one.
Secondly, you’ll want to only pick it up by the crown, never touch the root. The crown is the part which is visible when you smile.
Finally, make sure you keep the tooth moist. If you have a cup of milk, you can gently place it there. Otherwise, just place it between your gums and your teeth.
I’m sure it goes without saying that when you’re playing any sport, whether it is a contact sport or not, it is always recommended you wear a mouthguard to help prevent these type of emergencies.
When Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved
Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a tooth can’t be saved. When that happens, you’ll want to look at tooth replacement options. Two of the best are a dental implant and a dental bridge. Hopefully, you’ll never face that, but if you do, it’s good to have a couple of things to look into.
This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Emergency Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.