If your tooth falls out, you have options
It could happen in a flash. Most people don’t expect to suddenly lose a permanent tooth. However, it is more common than most people probably realize. Yeah, you can lose a tooth from infection or tooth decay, but trauma to your mouth or face can also lead to losing a tooth. You might think that once your tooth falls out there is nothing you can do to save it. That isn’t always the case.
Many Americans face dental emergencies every year. Millions of people will lose a permanent tooth this year from an accident or injury. Losing a tooth is a stressful experience.
If that happens to you, there are a few things you can do to save your tooth if you act swiftly and know what to do. Here are some tips that you should know about in order to help you save your tooth if your tooth falls out:
- Try not to touch the root of the tooth, but hold it by the crown instead.
- Rinse the tooth with cool, clean water. Saline solution or even milk can be used to rinse the tooth in place of water. Do not dry it off.
- Try inserting the tooth back into the socket. You can place a piece of gauze in between your teeth to prevent it from moving. If you do not have any gauze, a small piece of cloth would suffice.
- If you cannot place the tooth back into the socket, you still need to keep the tooth moist. You can do this by placing it in a cup of milk or saline solution. If you have no other choice, you can use fresh, clean, cool water.
- Get to the dentist immediately! The sooner you get to the dentist the better chance you will have of saving your tooth, but your window to have it saved is usually less than an hour or two.
What if my tooth cannot be saved?
Obviously your tooth is incredibly important to your oral health. In the case that your tooth cannot be saved, there are options for how to proceed. A dental bridge is one option, and another is a dental implant. Your dentist will go over your options with you in further detail.
A dental implant is your most effective option, but it is also the most costly. However, dental implants are great because they have so many advantages. One of their biggest advantages is that they act and look like your natural teeth. Nobody will know you ever lost a tooth simply from looking at your smile.
Prevention – How to keep your tooth from falling out
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most people lose teeth in car accidents or while playing sports. If you are engaging in sports, you should wear a mouth guard. This protects your teeth from all sorts of potential trauma.
Also, be sure to brush twice daily and floss as well. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine will go a long way to helping you retain your teeth throughout your life. Also be sure to schedule regular appointments with your dentist so they can clean your teeth. They will also be able to correct any issues in their early phases and keep small problems from becoming big ones.