What to Do When Your Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out

When a permanent tooth is knocked out of your mouth, it can be scary and painful. Taking fast action can help save your tooth. If you can get to the dentist fast enough, with a well-preserved tooth, your dentist dentist in Aitkin and Deerwood MN may be able to help. At River Oaks Dental, we’re committed to helping our patients take care of their teeth. Here’s what you should know.

Save the Tooth and Clean It

The first thing you should do when a permanent tooth is knocked out of your mouth is to find the tooth and clean it off. Pick up the tooth by the crown – the part that is visible above the gum line. Rinse off the tooth in your own saliva, in milk, or in sterile saline solution. Don’t touch the roots of the tooth.

Put the Tooth Somewhere Safe

The safest place to put your tooth – believe it or not – is back in your mouth. If you can, put the tooth back in the hole the tooth came out of, roots first. Then, clamp your jaw shut and hold the tooth in place.

If you aren’t comfortable putting your tooth back in the hole in your mouth, put the tooth in your cheek and hold it there, keeping your jaw shut. If you aren’t comfortable doing either of these things, you can put the tooth in a sterile saline solution, in milk, or in a cup of your own saliva. Transport the tooth to the dentist as soon as possible. Call the dentist on the way in to let them know that you’re coming, and it’s an emergency.

Go to the Dentist

If your dentist is unable to successfully reattach the tooth, you may be a good candidate for dental implants in Aitkin and Deerwood, MN. Either way, the team at River Oaks Dental can help. If you’re in the midst of a dental emergency, call us to let us know that you’ll be in as soon as possible. We want to give your tooth the best chance for survival.