Handling a dental emergency with help from your dentist in Waterford
Sudden events, such as dental emergencies, tend to feel chaotic, leaving you wondering the best way to handle the unexpected event. The entire staff at Metropolitan Dental Center understands how a dental emergency can be stressful, and we make ourselves available to provide treatment as soon as possible. Many dental emergencies consist of unrelenting tooth pain. There are instances, however, when the emergency involves a tooth getting knocked out. A permanent tooth might be knocked out due to sports trauma, a physical altercation, an automobile accident, or simply falling down.
Should this dental emergency occur, your dentist in Waterford may be able to save the tooth. In order for the lost tooth to remain viable enough to be reinserted into the socket, it must be handled properly. A short window of time exists in which the circumstances are ideal for the reinsertion of a lost tooth. Immediately following the steps below, contact our office to arrange a visit to an attending dentist.
Should this dental emergency occur, your dentist in Waterford may be able to save the tooth. In order for the lost tooth to remain viable enough to be reinserted into the socket, it must be handled properly. A short window of time exists in which the circumstances are ideal for the reinsertion of a lost tooth. Immediately following the steps below, contact our office to arrange a visit to an attending dentist.
- Upon locating the lost tooth, handle it by the crown only. The root is extremely vulnerable and can sustain irreparable damage if touched.
- Clean the tooth by placing it in whole milk or water, or by pouring either liquid over the tooth. The tooth should not be brushed.
- If possible, place the cleaned tooth back into the socket, aligned carefully with other teeth. Protect the tooth in its position by biting down gently on a clean, wet cloth, tea bag, or gauze.
- If the tooth cannot be easily placed into the socket, it can be held beneath the tongue or between the gums and the lower lip for transport to our office.
- If it is not possible to transport to the tooth in the patient's mouth, it can be brought to us in a container, covered with whole milk. This keeps the tooth hydrated and safe.