Share:

While childhood is a normal time to lose a tooth, it’s important to visit a dentist if you notice a permanent tooth becoming loose. Between decay, poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, and trauma, there are many different reasons you may lose a permanent tooth. When dealing with a loss, try the following tips to preserve your tooth.

4 Tips to Follow When You Lose a Tooth

1. Avoid the Root

If you lose your tooth in its entirety, avoid touching the root. Keeping the root intact and untouched minimizes your chance of infection during restoration, so always handle the tooth by the crown.

2. Rinse the Tooth

dentistEspecially if your tooth fell out of your mouth and onto another surface, it needs to be rinsed to remove germs and bacteria. Run it under water or a saline solution, and continue to handle it by the crown. Remember to be gentle with the tooth and only rinse it because wiping or scrubbing it could lead to further damage.

3. Preserve the Tooth

To prevent the roots from drying out, soak the tooth in a glass of milk or sterile saline solution. While water works well for cleaning and rinsing purposes, it will not preserve or protect the tooth. If you do not have milk or saline solution on hand, place the tooth in between your gums and cheek until you reach the dentist’s office.

4. Visit Your Dentist 

While you can try to reinsert your tooth using gauze pads and pressure, you need to see your dentist for reinsertion. If the dental office is closed or you cannot be seen right away, visit the emergency room, and bring your tooth with you.

 

If your tooth was knocked out, contact Dr. Richard R. Miller Jr., DDS, as soon as possible. His office provides superior dental health services for families in Summerville and Fairmount, GA. Dr. Miller and his team offer a variety of oral health care services, from routine checkups and cleanings to tooth restoration and cosmetic dentistry treatments. They prioritize personalized, compassionate, and high-quality care while treating your smile. To learn more about the services provided by this dentist, visit the website, and contact the Summerville office at (706) 857-4741 or the Fairmount office at (706) 337-3347.

tracking