Page 78 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

76 COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS

Knocked-out tooth

Teeth are often knocked out during accidents, particularly during contact sports such as football. The front
teeth are the most vulnerable. If you lose one of your permanent teeth, you may be able to save it by
replacing it quickly and getting emergency help. If a tooth is replaced in the socket within about 30 minutes
of being knocked out, there is a 90 percent chance it will be saved, and the chances are still good for up to
2 hours. A broken tooth, however, cannot be saved. Children sometimes lose baby teeth in a fall, but these
will be replaced eventually by permanent teeth so there is no need to replace them.

Seek immediate
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
medical advice
If your tooth has been knocked out or loosened Replacing a tooth Whenever possible,
by an injury, see your dentist or go to an you should try to save a permanent tooth by
emergency room as soon as possible. If a replacing it quickly in the socket. Don’t attempt to
child loses a baby tooth, it is important to do this, however, if you are concerned that the victim
see a dentist to check for possible damage may swallow or choke on the loose tooth.
to the mouth or gums. Wash your hands
thoroughly or put on
1 disposable gloves, if
available. Pick up the
What you can do yourself tooth by the crown
Immediately after the accident, take the following and hold it firmly.
steps to maximize the chances of saving your tooth. Check that it is the
right way around
Replacing the tooth is the best option, but if you before pushing it
can’t do this, you must make sure that the tooth firmly into the socket.
does not dry out while you seek medical help. Do this even if the
socket is bleeding.
● Find the missing tooth and pick it up by the top
(the crown), not the root. Do not rub or scrape it Hold the tooth in place
to remove dirt or any tissue fragments attached to with your fingers, or
it. Rinse it gently in a glass of tap water, but don’t 2 put a piece of gauze
hold it under running water. on the tooth and bite
down gently on it.
● Put the tooth back in its socket (see PRACTICAL Go to a hospital
TECHNIQUE, right). emergency room or to
an emergency dentist
● If you can’t replace a permanent tooth in its
for immediate
socket, tuck it under your tongue or inside your treatment.
cheek. Alternatively, place the tooth in a glass
of milk or some of your own saliva.
● If a child has lost a baby tooth and the socket is
bleeding, rinse out his or her mouth with water and
place a wad of tissue or gauze in the socket. Your
child should bite down on it to stop the bleeding.