Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth

Uh oh! Did your child just get one of their teeth knocked-out? Dental emergencies like this always happen when you least expect it, therefore it’s important to know what to do in order to protect your child’s dental health. The team at Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Laredo would like you to know some steps you should follow that will increase the chance of saving a knocked-out tooth.

Handle the Tooth Carefully

Once you’ve located the knocked-out tooth, pick it up carefully by the crown end, not the root. The crown end is the portion of the tooth that you can visibly see when it’s attached properly. You can also think of it as the chewing surface of the tooth. Then, use water to gently rinse any dirt or debris off the tooth.

Keep the Tooth Moist

It’s important that the knocked-out tooth stay moist. When adults get teeth knocked out, they can gently try to reinsert it in the socket or hold it in their mouth next to their cheek. With kids, it’s generally safer to put the tooth in a cup of milk. This way you don’t risk them losing or swallowing the tooth.

Act Quickly

The sooner you get into our office, the greater the chance that the tooth can be saved and put back in place. This is because the cells on the root portion of the tooth will dry out and die with time, making it impossible for them to regenerate and reattach to the socket. That’s also why the previous step of keeping the tooth moist is so important.

Emergency Dentist in Laredo, TX

If your child is currently in need of emergency dental care for a knocked-out tooth or another urgent concern, don’t wait for professional attention. Call Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics today! We provide emergency dentistry at our Laredo dental practice. Our experienced team will act quickly and safely to get your child’s smile back to great condition.

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Categorised in: Emergency Dental Care