What Should You Do If You Lose A Permanent Tooth?
Dentist
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Losing a permanent tooth qualifies as a dental emergency. If the tooth is not put back in the mouth in a certain period of time, then it cannot be placed back in the mouth at all. If you've just lost your tooth, knowing how to handle the tooth without damaging it is key. These frequently asked questions will help you if you've lost a tooth, and will help you take care of your teeth so you can avoid this situation again in the future.
What should you do if you lose a permanent tooth?
If you lose a permanent tooth, the first thing you should do is find the tooth wherever it is. When you do find the tooth, pick it up by the enamel, not the root. Then follow these directions:
- Rinse the tooth in milk or saliva. Do not rinse the tooth in water, as this can cause the cells that line the roots to become damaged.
- Put the tooth back in its socket. The best place to protect your tooth is in your mouth. Hold the tooth by the crown, put it back in its place in your jaw, then bite down on the tooth and hold it in position. If you're unable to do this, you can put the tooth in a cup covered in milk or saliva. If you have no cup where you can hold your tooth, hold the tooth in the side of your mouth, next to the inside of your cheek. This will preserve the tooth.
- Have a friend or family member call the oral surgeon and tell him or her to be expecting you. Many oral surgeons prefer to have notice when they know that someone having a dental emergency is about to come into the office. This way, they can be sure to have the facilities prepared and ready for the person coming in. Because time is of the essence when a tooth needs to be put back in its place, calling the oral surgeon ahead of time will help ensure that you get emergency care as quickly as possible. If no oral surgeon or dentist in you area is able to help you, take your tooth to an emergency room.
What happens if the tooth is too damaged or arrives too late at the dentist to be recovered?
If your tooth cannot be saved, have a conversation with your dentist about getting a dental implant. Dental implants are designed to look just like real teeth, and can be used to replace a tooth that has been lost.
For an oral surgeon, contact a doctor such as Miller Kenneth G.
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21 March 2016
