Dental emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. If your dental emergency happens in Spokane, Dr. Jason Keefe at 5 Mile Smiles is able to provide same-day emergency appointments. His services can provide you with immediate relief and a lasting solution for your unexpected dental issue.
While you can’t plan for an emergency, you can take steps to mitigate the situation. A common dental emergency that Dr. Keefe treats is a knocked-out tooth. Here, Dr. Keefe discusses how to handle a knocked-out tooth.
Act Quickly
If you have a knocked-out tooth, you need to act quickly. Contact the nearest dentist’s office immediately for dental care. If the knocked-out tooth is your only emergency, then it is best treated by a dentist (not in the emergency room). Going to an emergency room may just delay your treatment.
Ideally, you should see a dentist within 30 minutes of the incident. However, it may be possible to save a knocked-out tooth even if it has been longer than 30 minutes. Just keep the following in mind
Handle With Care
If the tooth is in good condition, it may be possible to reattach the tooth. Try to retrieve the knocked-out tooth if possible. Be careful when handling the tooth. Pick it up by the crown, and not the root. The crown is the chewing surface of the tooth.
Avoid cleaning the tooth with soap or chemicals. Do not scrub the tooth. Do not wrap the tooth in anything.
Put It Back in the Socket
If possible, try to reposition the tooth back in its socket. Gently push the tooth in with your fingers and carefully bite down. Gently hold the tooth in place with either your fingers or by biting down until you can get dental attention.
The Tooth Needs Moisture
The tooth should be kept moist at all times. Do not use regular tap water.
If you put the tooth back in its socket, the natural moisture of your mouth should be sufficient. You may also use the natural moisture of your mouth by putting the tooth in your mouth next to your cheek. Be careful not to swallow the tooth!
If you cannot keep the tooth moist in your mouth, you can put the tooth in a cup of milk or in an emergency tooth preservation kit. The kits contain a solution ideal for preserving a tooth.
Contact Us Immediately for a Knocked-out Tooth
Don’t wait to contact us if you have a knocked-out tooth. Call us immediately at (509) 326-2621. Dr. Keefe at 5 Mile Smiles will do everything in his power to ensure you get the necessary emergency dental care.
