Tips on handling the broken or knocked-out teeth
There are myriad reasons for broken teeth. Here, in this article, let us talk about how to handle broken teeth if and when it happens.
Broken teeth are especially common amongst children. Millions of children have broken teeth every year but broken tooth in most cases doesn’t mean it is a lost cause. Here in this article, let us talk about the steps that need to be taken and how to handle broken or knocked-out teeth:
- When a tooth breaks down, there are a number of parts such as nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues that are damaged as a result of the accident. This is why you ought to realize time is very crucial.
- Act swiftly and take immediate steps within a span of 30 minutes. Try to find the teeth as soon as possible in the site of the accident, pick it up and gently wash it with a stream of water.
- Make sure that you don’t touch the root of the teeth.
- Try to put the teeth in your socket and ensure that your mouth is moist all the time whilst rushing to a dentist as soon as you can.
- If you can’t manage to put your teeth in the socket, it is vital that you keep the teeth in drinking water (and not tap water) and rush to a dentist as soon as you can.
- Get to your dentist with an emergency appointment. He/she will be able to guide you in the next steps.
- If the tooth is dirty, it is mandatory that you hold the teeth by the crown and insert it in milk to cleanse it. The least you can do is put it in water if there is no alternative.
What steps will the dentist undertake:
After reaching the dentist, he/she will evaluate the options and try to re-insert the teeth within an hour from the incident.
He/she may perform an operation such as a root canal procedure. If the tooth was outside for a long time, he/she might use a composite material during the procedure.
After the procedure is done. Make sure you undertake a dental checkup after a couple of months.
