Why Emergency Dentistry Is Essential for a Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth can occur due to various incidents, such as trip-and-fall accidents, collisions during sports, or other unexpected events. In these situations, it’s essential to seek immediate professional care from an emergency dentist. Our team at Supertooth® Dental Group in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Germantown, Maryland, is equipped to handle dental emergencies and provide the expert assistance you need.

An adult tooth that has been knocked out of its socket can often be saved with prompt intervention and appropriate care. It's important to act quickly, as timely treatment significantly increases the chances of successful reattachment. Read on to learn why quick treatment is absolutely necessary.

A knocked-out tooth is an emergency

Every year in the United States, over 5 million teeth are knocked out due to accidents and injuries. A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency because prompt action is crucial for the best possible outcome. 

The reason for this urgency is straightforward: the sooner the tooth is reimplanted into its original socket and stabilized by a dentist, the higher the chances of successful reattachment and healing. Taking immediate steps can significantly influence the final result for your dental health.

Fast care for a knocked-out tooth

We recommend visiting the Supertooth team within 30-60 minutes following a traumatic tooth injury that results in a tooth being dislodged. However, even if more than an hour has passed since the tooth was knocked out, there is still a chance for successful reattachment, especially if proper care has been taken during that time.

To maximize the likelihood of saving your tooth, take these four critical steps before arriving at our office:

1. Secure your tooth

If a tooth is displaced from its socket, it may either stay in your mouth or fall onto the floor or ground. Regardless of the situation, whether you need to search for the tooth or accidentally spit it out, it’s crucial to handle it with care. Always grasp the tooth by the crown, which is the white part, and avoid touching the root to ensure it's preserved properly.

When a tooth is forcibly removed from its socket, the associated connective ligament tissues are also torn. Proper handling of these fragile tissues is crucial, as any damage can significantly diminish the chances of successful reattachment.

2. Clean your tooth

When dealing with a dirty tooth, gently rinse it with water. Do not use soap or chemicals to clean the tooth, and refrain from scrubbing it, as this can further harm it. If a tooth has been knocked out but is still clean and hasn’t come into contact with dirt, there is no need to rinse it, even if it’s bloody.

3. Reposition your tooth 

If you experience a knocked-out tooth, it's important to act quickly. Begin by gently repositioning the tooth back into its socket. Handle the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the root. Once in place, you can hold it securely with your fingers or gently bite down to keep it stable.

Reinserting the tooth helps protect the delicate roots from damage and maintains moisture, both of which are crucial for potential reattachment. After successfully placing the tooth back in its socket, contact our office to schedule an urgent appointment. For the best chance of preserving your tooth, aim to see us within the next hour.

4. Keep your tooth damp 

If a tooth is knocked out, do not force it back into its socket. If you can’t easily reposition it, refrain from attempting to do so. Instead, focus on preserving the tooth's moisture. Avoid placing it in a tissue or cloth, as this can dry out the delicate connective tissues and reduce the chances of successful reattachment.

The most effective way to keep a tooth moist is to submerge it in a small container of milk, saline solution, or saliva. Alternatively, you can gently hold it inside your cheek. It's crucial to avoid putting a knocked-out tooth in tap water, as the minerals and chemicals present in unfiltered water can damage the root cells, further compromising the tooth's viability for reattachment.

Get expert emergency dental care fast at Supertooth

When you arrive at our office with a dental emergency, we begin by restoring your tooth to its socket or assessing your existing restoration. If your tooth has been stored in a container of milk or saliva, we first numb the area to ensure you remain comfortable during the procedure. 

Next, we perform a dental X-ray to confirm the proper position of your tooth before proceeding with splinting. Dental splinting involves using small supports to secure your knocked-out tooth to the adjacent teeth, allowing for stability. This splint will remain in place for about two weeks, providing sufficient time for your tooth root to heal and reattach itself within the gums.

If you need emergency dental care, our team of experts at Supertooth is ready to help. Call our nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.