Injured teeth
When a tooth is knocked out, loosened or broken, what happens in the first hour matters. Here is what to do, and how we care for the tooth afterward.
A knocked-out adult tooth
- Pick it up by the crown, the part you chew with. Do not touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with water. Do not scrub it.
- If you can, put it back in the socket and bite gently on a cloth to hold it.
- If not, keep it moist in milk, or in the cheek of an adult who will not swallow it.
- Call your dentist or us right away. The sooner the tooth is back in place, the better its chance.
A tooth pushed in, out or sideways
Do not force it. Your dentist or endodontist will reposition and splint the tooth. Many of these teeth later need root canal treatment, which is often started within a few weeks of the injury.
A chipped or broken tooth
Save any pieces. Small chips are usually repaired by your dentist. If the break reaches the pulp, root canal treatment or, in young patients, a treatment that keeps the pulp alive may be needed.
Children’s teeth
In children and teens whose roots are still growing, we try to keep the pulp alive so the root can finish developing. See regenerative endodontics.
Questions patients ask
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. Baby teeth are not replanted, but the child should still be seen so we can check the gum and the adult tooth underneath.
Why does an injured tooth need follow-up visits?
The nerve inside an injured tooth can change over weeks or months. Regular checks let us catch problems early and treat them before they cause pain or infection.
Related
Relief starts with a call
Call or text, and we will find the soonest time that works. If you are in pain, tell us when you call, and we will do everything we can to see you the same day.
3985 Medina Road, Suite 160, Medina. Mon, Tue, Thu, 7 am to 4 pm.