What to Do if You Suddenly Lose a Tooth
Whether it’s a lost tooth that suddenly comes out when you bite into an apple or a tooth that comes out after a trauma, everyone should know what to do if they suddenly lose their tooth. If you know what to do, the tooth can almost always be fixed. Keep reading for the basics, and remember to contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 as soon as possible if you do lose a tooth.
Find the Tooth
First of all, find the tooth. This might be simple if you lost it in an apple, but if you lost it in a sport’s match, it might have gone flying. Do everything you can to find it because there is a good chance that it can be put back.
After you find it, keep it as clean as you can. Only touch it on the hard enamel parts – these are the areas that you normally see and that you brush. The area under and inside the tooth should not be touched and should be protected.
Preserve the Tooth
Now you need to keep it healthy while you wait to get to the dentist. If the tooth is relatively clean, the best thing to do is to put it back in the spot from which it came. Of course, if you suffered an injury that caused you to lose the tooth, this is not a good option. In that case, you can store it on the inside of your cheek. If that is not possible, get milk and store the tooth in it. This will keep it moist and help preserve the pulp.
Stop Bleeding and Treat the Wounds
If the lost tooth occurred as a result of a trauma, then you will likely be bleeding and need to have your wounds treated. You can take an over-the-counter medication to treat pain and swelling. You can put ice on it if it is swollen.
Call the Dentist
Once you have taken the necessary steps to protect your tooth – and yourself – it is time to contact the dentist. If you have saved the tooth, then timing is essential here. The sooner you get to us and let us get to work, the great the chance is that we can save the tooth for good.
If not, there are other options that can maintain your smile, including a dental bridge if there are several teeth missing or a dental implant if it is just one tooth. Contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 now for assistance.
