There are several ways in which individuals might be wounded, and with over 2,600,000 people in 2021 alone, it is highly prevalent. This frequently results in sprains, strains, back problems, falls, slips, and trips. Many injuries result in lost time at work or education. An injury to the mouth may also result in a tooth being cracked, shattered, or knocked out.
Having a tooth knocked out can be frightening and overwhelming, but it does not always imply that the tooth is lost for good. In certain circumstances, the tooth can be saved and reattached. You should speak with your dentist and get emergency dental care immediately.
What causes teeth to get knocked out?
Falling, receiving a hit to the face, suffering a sports accident, or biting down on anything hard can all cause tooth loss. Any of these can result in broken, missing, or knocked-out teeth, as well as injured gums. It can also cause swelling and bleeding in the affected region, and the full degree of the damage may not be apparent immediately after the accident. If your tooth loss is followed by a swollen mouth or tongue, a lot of blood being swallowed, or difficulty breathing, you should go to the emergency department immediately.
Steps you should take after a tooth is knocked out.
Depending on the circumstances, there are a few things you may do when a tooth is knocked out to increase your chances of preserving it. Here are some of the things you may do immediately when your own or your child’s tooth is knocked out.
According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), there are numerous things you may do within the first 30 minutes after a tooth is knocked out to improve your chances of saving it.
Recover the tooth, if feasible.
If you have a tooth, keep it clean until you can visit the dentist. If the whole tooth is knocked out, try not to touch the root and instead touch the crown (the chewing surface or the top of the tooth).
Rinse it with warm water.
If the tooth falls to the ground and is coated in dirt or debris, rinse it with warm water, but do not use soap or any other cleaning products or solutions. The AAE suggests that you do not brush or scrape the tooth and that you avoid covering it with anything other than paper or gauze.
Make sure that the tooth is moist at all times, and take it to your dentist immediately to receive emergency dental care.