Accidental Tooth Loss by Injury
It can happen in the blink of an eye: an accident that leaves a tooth hanging by a thread or lying on the ground.
Kids, sports, adults, it can happen to just about anyone anywhere. Ouch! But if it does happen, it's important to know the proper first aid.
-If the tooth is loose (even extremely so!) but is still attached in any way, leave it in place. Do not remove it! - If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have the person hold the tooth in their mouth, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation.
- If the tooth is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.
- If the tooth is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until a dentist is available. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.
Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 410-535-5055.
Kids, sports, adults, it can happen to just about anyone anywhere. Ouch! But if it does happen, it's important to know the proper first aid.
-If the tooth is loose (even extremely so!) but is still attached in any way, leave it in place. Do not remove it! - If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have the person hold the tooth in their mouth, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation.
- If the tooth is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.
- If the tooth is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until a dentist is available. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.
Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 410-535-5055.
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