If one of your teeth is knocked out, by acting quickly and working with a dentist, you may be able to save it and keep your irresistible smile intact. Here’s what you should know about how to react to losing a tooth.

Treating Tooth Loss 

What Should You Do After Losing a Tooth?

After losing a tooth, focus on having it reinserted by a professional dentist. The chance of successful reimplantation declines 1% for every minute your tooth remains out of its socket. An hour-long delay could reduce your chances of saving your tooth by 60%. 

Find the tooth and any fragments. Hold a tooth by the crown, not the root. If possible, place the tooth in the pouch of your cheek and hold it there. If that isn’t possible, place the tooth in a glass of clean water or milk and head for the dentist office. 

How Can a Dentist Help?

After you arrive at the dental office, your dentist will evaluate the tooth and the site of the injury. Then they will reinsert the tooth, occasionally splinting it into place temporarily. After the tooth heals, your dentist may recommend an endodontic treatment or a root canal to protect the structure and integrity of the tooth and to correct any discoloration that may have occurred when the tooth was dislodged.

Whether you have a dental emergency or are simply in need of a routine dental checkup, Jim S. Caudill, DMD, PSC, can help. With more than 42 years of experience and a commitment to the highest standards of care, this trusted Hazard, KY, dental office can help you to protect, improve, and beautify your smile and those of your entire family. To find out more about this practice, visit their website, or give the staff a call at (606) 436-3432.