What Do I Do If I Lose a Tooth?

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losing a tooth

What do you do if you lose a tooth?

Here is you handy five step list for what you can do if you lose a tooth.

Follow these steps if you or someone you are with loses a tooth

1. Find and handle the lost tooth carefully

The first step after losing a tooth is to ensure that you handle the tooth with care. Hold the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the soft root at all costs, as this may cause damage to the nerves and tissues, making it harder or impossible for your tooth to be repaired.

2. Rinse the tooth under lukewarm water

If there is dirt on the root of the tooth, rinse it carefully under lukewarm water. Do not scrub or scrape the root and never use alcohol.

3. Reinsert the tooth or safely store it

It is recommended that you attempt to replace the tooth in its socket (hole) after it has been rinsed, as this helps the dentist re-implant the tooth, and keeps the root of the tooth healthy. Place the tooth in the right position and bite down gently on gauze or a washcloth, but do not force it.

If it doesn’t fit, you’ll need to keep it preserved.

When you’re not able to reinsert the tooth for any reason, store the tooth in milk and seek dental emergency help as soon as possible.

4. Do your best to keep calm

Stay calm. Losing a tooth can be an incredible shock to your system. So there will be plenty of adrenaline causing you to get the shakes and feel panicked. Do whatever you can to soothe, reassure and comfort, so that you can be calm or act calmly.

Give Pain relief if in pain. Apply an icepack to any injured areas.

5. See your dentist

As soon as you can, make an appointment with your dentist. The longer you wait before receiving dental care, the harder it will be to re-implant the tooth and the more risk there is of having the socket become infected.

At Dental Care Professionals we treat emergencies as quickly as possible.

How can I protect my teeth?

Losing teeth can be the result of neglect, accident, or illness, but there are ways you can protect the health of your teeth.

To avoid decay and cavities, ensure you brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.

If you play sport, make sure to always protect your teeth and mouth with a custom fitted mouth guard (made by a dentist with accurate impressions of your mouth).

For more information on protecting your teeth and maintaining a healthy smile, our team at Dental Care Professionals are here to care for you and your family. Book today, call 8232 3280.

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Dr Alan

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