Around five million teeth get knocked out annually. The experienced dentists at Dental Town DC in Washington, DC, can save your tooth, but only if you take the appropriate steps to preserve it and get to our office quickly enough.
Don’t Panic
Any injury that knocks out a tooth is bound to be shocking. Do your best to stay calm. If you handle the tooth correctly, you have approximately one hour of viability. Call our office immediately, letting us know what happened and that you’re on your way.
Handle with Care
Take care to only touch the crown — the part that’s visible while your tooth is in your jaw. Touching the root can damage your tooth and reduce your chances of saving it. Rinse the tooth with bottled water or milk, but don’t scrub or use alcohol on it. If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket. You can also nestle it between your cheek and gum, or place it in a small, sealed container of milk or a tooth preservation kit like “Save-A-Tooth.” Don’t put your tooth in tap water — exposure to chemicals can damage it.
Get Dental Treatment
It’s essential to see one of our dentists as soon as possible after your accident. After we repair or reimplant your tooth, schedule a follow-up visit. A knocked-out tooth is vulnerable to internal decay, and some patients require root canals. If we can’t save your tooth, we offer a variety of options to replace missing teeth, including dental implants and bridges. If you knock out a tooth or have another dental emergency, call our office or schedule a same-day appointment online.