The American Association of Endodontists estimates that nearly five million teeth are knocked out each year. It is also estimated that nearly three million of these teeth are knocked out in relation to athletic activities and contact sports. Dr. Sanjay Merchant offers a few key first aid considerations to keep in mind, should you suffer a knocked-out tooth.
If there is blood or debris in your mouth you can rinse it away and sooth the injured tissues with lukewarm salt water. This will help you get a better understanding of the severity of the injury. If the socket is bleeding profusely you can lightly bite down on some sterile gauze to stop the bleeding. Try not to swallow too much blood as this can lead to nausea.
If the tooth was knocked out cleanly and none of it remains in the socket in your gums, there is a chance that Dr. Sanjay Merchant can implant the tooth back into your gums. For this to have any chance of success, the tooth must be whole and must be kept alive.
You can keep the knocked-out tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums, or you could use one of the tooth preservation products available in stores. These canisters are filled with a specially-formulated nourishing gel. You simply place the tooth in the jar and seal it. The nourishing gel will keep it alive while you are on your way to see Dr. Sanjay Merchant.
If any part of the tooth remains anchored in the socket, the chances are poor that we can save it. The remaining fragments will need to be extracted. Once your gums have healed we can help you explore your restoration options.
If you have a tooth knocked out during sports or otherwise, you need to call Southridge Dental Group immediately at 909-822-9090 to schedule an appointment.