When a permanent (or adult) tooth gets knocked out, it’s a frightening prospect. Thankfully, calm, quick, decisive action can help save the natural tooth. Time is the most important factor, so knowing the steps ahead of time helps.
If you knock out a permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown, rinse it gently, try to place it back in the socket, keep it moist, and see an emergency dentist in Vallejo, CA, as soon as possible, ideally within an hour.
The First Few Minutes
Immediately after it is knocked out, pick up the tooth by its crown (the part you can normally see above the gumline), making sure to avoid the root. If it’s at all dirty, rinse it gently with water for a few seconds, without scrubbing, which can wipe away attached tissue. Then, if you can, place it in its vacant socket in the jaw, as it was before. Place a clean cloth or gauze over it and bite down very softly to hold it in place.
Even if you can’t re-place the tooth, you must still keep it moist. The best way to preserve a tooth’s moisture is in a small container of milk, NOT water. If you are alert and old enough to avoid swallowing it, you can also hold the tooth inside your cheek, as saliva also effectively preserves moisture. A dried-out tooth has a much lower chance of being saved, so avoid wrapping it in a napkin or leaving it in the open air.
Getting Emergency Care Fast
Once you’ve done all you can at home, call your Vallejo emergency dentist right away. Dr. Morgan Nordstrom and our skilled and compassionate team leave time in the schedule for emergencies and do all we can to see patients in need of urgent care the same day.
Emergency Dental Care in Vallejo, CA
If you’ve had a permanent tooth knocked out and need immediate care from a Vallejo emergency dentist to try and save it, contact Dr. Morgan Nordstrom and our calm, caring, experienced team to schedule an emergency dental appointment.