Randwick
You’re in the middle of an exciting ball game with your kids at the local park. Before you know it, one of you turns the wrong way, and you feel an elbow hit you square in the mouth.
Then you notice the bleeding. You reach up and realise that it’s not a busted lip—your tooth is gone.
Fortunately, knowing the first steps to take can help you save your smile and avoid as much pain as possible.
First Things First
Stop and look around. Do you see your tooth? Take care to only touch the crown (not the root) and carefully pick it up. If you see visible debris, you can gently rinse it off. Do not try to rub the root clean, as this will damage or remove the tiny fibres that are needed for preimplantation.
The best thing to do—if possible—is to put your tooth back into the socket. Do not force it. If it won’t go in, store it in a sealed container while completely submerged in liquid. Milk or contact solution is ideal. Adults who can be careful about not swallowing it may want to consider keeping their tooth tucked inside of their cheek, to keep it coated in saliva.
If you’re bleeding, use a clean cloth or medical gauze to apply gentle pressure. You may need to change the compress out a time or two before it stops.
See a Dentist Within the Hour
For best results, a tooth needs to be reimplanted within the first 1-2 hours after it’s knocked out.
Ring our office straightaway. If it’s during business hours, we’ll plan for your immediate arrival. Otherwise, we’ll walk you through what to do next.
Do you need an emergency dentist for your family? Contact us today for attentive care.