Disclaimer: This article only explains what you can do during emergencies that involve luxation or avulsion of teeth. For emergency cases involving head traumas, we highly recommend you consult a medical doctor immediately.
Key Takeaway:
You can do the following steps if your tooth fell out, based on IADT:
- Retrieve the avulsed tooth by holding it on the crown
- Rinse it with milk, HBSS (Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution), NSS (Normal Saline Solution), or clean water
- Once free from any debris and if the patient is conscious, put the tooth back into the socket
- Bite on a gauze or a clean handkerchief to hold it in place
- Go to the dentist immediately.
Accidents happen when we least expect them, and sometimes they can result in the loss of a tooth.
Whether it’s yourself, a family member, or even a stranger who experiences this unfortunate situation, knowing what steps to take can make a significant difference in saving the tooth and ensuring proper dental care.
Imagine your child suddenly being hit by a baseball bat, and their tooth falls out. In this article, we will provide you with valuable guidance and advice on what to do if a tooth is lost due to an accident.
By understanding the immediate actions to take and seeking prompt dental attention, you can increase the chances of successful tooth reattachment and minimize any potential long-term complications.
Can you save a tooth that fell out?
Yes, a tooth that has fallen out of the socket can be saved, but it depends on different factors. If you are not a dentist or a dental care provider, you will not be able to tell if a tooth is salvageable or not.
The tricky part about teeth is they may look okay, they may look intact, but they can have fractures that are hard to see or diagnose.
But, what you can do to increase the chances of maintaining the vitality of your tooth is to pick it up in a way that you are holding the crown part, clean it with saline solution or clean water, and store it in milk, saline solution, or put it inside your cheeks.
In that way, you can maintain the viability of the periodontal ligament fibers and the cells surrounding the root of your teeth, which would eventually act as a bridge when your dentist puts it back in the socket.
It is also encouraged that the witness of the accident, or the patient himself or herself (if he or she is conscious), to replant the avulsed tooth from the socket after it is cleaned.
Is it safe to put a tooth back if it fell out?
Yes, it is safe to put a tooth back in the socket if it fell out, once it has been rinsed out of any debris.
Although the reluctance of the witness, guardian, or the patient himself or herself is understandable, it is still best to replant the tooth in the socket to minimize the dry time and to ensure that the periodontal ligament cells remain viable.
Periodontal ligament cells that surround the root portion of the tooth serve as the velcro that holds the tooth in position. It is very important that the tooth will be put back in the socket after it was rinsed because once these cells dry out, the chances of the tooth being placed back in the socket permanently are significantly lower.
In any case, it is essential to seek immediate dental attention if a tooth is knocked out. Although according to studies, replantation usually is the treatment of choice, the dentist will be able to determine the best course of action and increase the chances of actually saving the tooth.
Can a dentist save a tooth that fell out?
A dentist may or may not be able to save your fallen tooth, but one thing’s for sure, they know what to do in emergency cases like this.
If you were able to follow the instructions above and you were able to go to a nearby dental clinic within a span of less than 30 minutes, chances are, your teeth can still be replanted and could still survive.
Of course, there will be damage on the pulp itself so you would have to undergo a root canal treatment after 2 weeks of replanting the tooth and using a splint to hold it together, but you can still have your tooth back in your mouth and you would not have to live your life with a missing tooth (especially if the avulsed tooth is a front tooth).
However, if you are unable to go to a nearby clinic to replant the tooth, you might face the sad reality of losing your tooth. Your dental practitioner might address this concern by installing a fixed or removable partial denture to restore your smile.
There are a ton of options that your dentist can do when your tooth falls off, but you have to make sure that you seek their help as soon as possible.
Tooth Be Told
Accidents happen on a daily basis, and an avulsed tooth (or the tooth that fell off from the socket) makes up 0.5% to 16% of all dental injuries. The prognosis of this condition depends on the duration of the tooth outside the socket, or how bad the injury is. However, if you follow the steps above on how to save the tooth that has fallen off of your mouth, you can still have your smile back.
