Did you know that more than five million teeth are knocked out every year? Ouch! If this happens to you, it may seem like a terrible, end-of-the-world situation, but you can actually save your tooth and put it back without much of an issue, assuming that you take the proper course of action. Make sure to follow the instructions below, and immediately go to a dentist or endodontist! If you choose a dentist, come see us for dental surgery at Kruckman Family Dentistry.

1. Pick up the tooth from the surface you chew with. Your instinct may be to pick up the tooth from anywhere, but it’s extremely important that you hold it by the hard chewing surface, rather than the root. If you damage the root, you may not be able to put it back!
2. Clean the tooth if it is dirty with water. If you were playing tackle football outside and lost a tooth into the mud, you definitely want to clean it off. However, just gently rinse the tooth with water. Avoid scrubbing the tooth or using soap, and do not dry the tooth with a cloth or tissue.
3. Put the tooth back in the socket if you can. We know that this is easier said than done, but the sooner the tooth is put back in place, the more likely it is to be saved. In order to put it back in, gently push the tooth back into the socket with your fingers. If this does not work, put the tooth above the socket and gently bite down to press it back into place.
4. Keep the tooth moist! If the tooth cannot be put back in your mouth, it’s essential that it stays wet. Put it in one of the following to keep it moist:
   1. An emergency tooth preservation kit. These should be available at any drugstore.
   2. Milk
   3. Mouth – Keep it in between your cheek and gum line.

      *Note: Avoid putting the tooth in tap water to keep it wet! The root cells on the surface do not react well to water for long lengths of time.

5. Go to the dentist or endodontist. If you can bring your tooth and see a specialist within thirty minutes of knocking out your tooth, the odds of restoring the tooth back into your mouth are pretty good. However, it is still possible for the tooth to be successfully restored when the tooth has been out for an hour or more. To heighten the chances of success, see a dental surgery specialist immediately.

Contact Us

We at Kruckman Family Dentistry in Waconia understand that accidents do happen. When you have a tooth knocked out unexpectedly, take all the necessary emergency steps and seek help immediately. It is possible to put your tooth back! If you have any questions about what to do in case of an emergency, or if you would like to just schedule a general cleaning for you and your family, be sure to contact the professionals at Kruckman Family Dentistry today!