How to Preserve a Knocked Out Tooth
Preservation After Avulsion
Tooth complications are a common part of our human development and often trauma to teeth is an event experienced, at least once, in the life of a child or adult. If you've experienced a complication with the loss of a tooth, it is important to know how to preserve a knocked out tooth - a common part of protecting the avulsion after it occurs. When a tooth is knocked out, there can be significant health complications, including permanent loss of the tooth if the tooth is not well protected.
Avulsion, the dental term used to identify a tooth that has been traumatically knocked out of the mouth, can be painful but typically the pain comes from the trauma affecting the nerve of the tooth. When avulsion happens, therefore, if you do not experience any pain do not be overly alarmed as the nerve may simply not be affected.
When your tooth is accidently knocked out, it is important, of course, to stop the bleeding in your mouth. Putting a cold compress on the area where the tooth is missing will serve to prevent as much blood loss as possible. Also, try to lay your head back so blood drains away from it and never lie with your head below the level of your heart.
In addition to protecting the mouth from blood loss, the tooth that has been avulsed will need to be preserved. To best protect the tooth, put it in a clean sandwich baggie and then place the sandwich bag into a container of ice. Keeping the tooth cold will ensure it is protected from loss of function as much as possible. For some individuals, the tooth can be surgically re-implanted after avulsion, if it is protected correctly.
And, finally, never touch the root area of the tooth as this is a crucial part of implantation after avulsion. Instead, when handling the tooth, always touch it around the crown area. In doing so, you'll have the best opportunity for restoring your tooth to its original position without long term dental health and oral health complications.
Sources: Uniformed Consent: The Hidden Dangers in Dental Care, by Hal Huggins
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Published by Christine Cadena
Working on a graduate degree in psychology, Christine has both professional and educational background in health, wellness, insurance, and health finance. Finance expands to all facets of health and insuran... View profile
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