You may feel a sense of panic upon realizing a permanent tooth has been knocked out. Fortunately, by acting quickly and working with your dentist, you can increase your chances of a successful recovery. Here are three steps you should take after losing a permanent tooth. 

How to Save Your Lost Tooth

1. Find the Tooth

Locate the missing tooth, and handle it by the crown to avoid unintentionally closing off delicate blood vessels that may be exposed. 

2. Keep the Tooth Clean & Moist 

After you find the tooth, rinse it off with clean water. Do not scrub the tooth or wash any part of it with soap or toothpaste. Instead, focus on keeping the tooth moist by placing it in the pocket between your cheek and lower teeth. If you have a tooth preservation kit, place the tooth inside the solution to keep the blood vessels and nerves alive. If you don’t feel comfortable storing your teeth in your mouth and don’t have a tooth preservation kit, keep the tooth in a glass of clean water en route to the dentist. 

3. Seek Emergency Dental Treatment 

Teeth that are reinserted within 30 minutes of being knocked out have a 90% recovery rate, while waiting can drastically decrease your chances of saving the tooth. Keep your dentist’s emergency contact number handy so you can always seek treatment promptly. 

Although it can be scary to deal with a knocked-out tooth, Ronald W. Ristow, DDS, in Oconto Falls, WI, can help you preserve your smile. In addition to offering emergency dental care, this experienced professional also helps families with everything from pediatric dentistry to cosmetic restorations and dental surgery. To schedule your next visit, send them a message online or call (920) 846-3163. You can also follow them on Twitter.