WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TOOTH IS KNOCKED OUT

What To Do When Your Tooth is Knocked Out? If a permanent tooth is knocked out, you have a dental emergency situation that requires the immediate attention of a dentist. When this episode happens, you must keep the tooth moist until you reach our office because the team of doctors at Jonathan H. Kim, D.D.S., Inc. – Top Best *8* San Jose Dentists Specialists Centers may re-implant a tooth as long as it’s not completely dried out. The longer a knocked-out tooth is left out of its socket, the more likely will be the failure of trying to reestablish the tooth. These knocked out teeth can often be re-implanted if it is replanted within minutes after the accident occurred and there is a greater chance the tooth will be retained for life. After the accident, the tooth should be handled by the crown or enamel portion, not by the roots. If the tooth is dirty or contaminated, it should be rinsed with milk or water very gently. Do not use soap or any abrasive substance to clean the tooth. Submerge the tooth in milk and come to our office, Jonathan H. Kim, D.D.S., Inc. – Top Best *8* San Jose Dentists Specialists Centers, will try to save the tooth.

It should be noted that if a primary (baby) tooth is knocked out, it should NEVER be attempted to be replanted as this could damage the permanent tooth bud in formation. Parents should NOT try to place the baby tooth back into the socket, and should immediately seek the advice and treatment of their dentist. First Aid:

• Try to place the tooth in the socket. Bite down gently on gauze to help keep in place.
• If the tooth cannot be replaced in the socket, place it in a container and cover it with a small amount of whole milk or saliva.
• Apply a cold compress to the mouth and gums for pain
• Apply direct pressure, using gauze to control bleeding
• Do NOT handle the roots of the tooth. Handle by the crown portion only.
• Do NOT scrape the root of the tooth to remove dirt.
• Do NOT brush or clean the tooth with alcohol or peroxide.