If you have a tooth knocked out, here’s what you need to know.
A tooth avulsion, or knocked-out tooth, can happen very easily when playing contact sport. Mouthguards are the best preventative option, and are responsible for reducing the number of tooth avulsions drastically. When you participate in contact sport or any activity that may involve facial contact, we strongly advise the use of properly fitted mouthguards, whether you’re a professional or amateur.
Follow these steps if you experience a knocked-out tooth.
- Try not to panic and quickly find the tooth.
- With milk or a saline solution, carefully clean the tooth, making sure not to scrub it or make contact with the root end.
- If possible, put the tooth back in. Look at your other teeth for guidance on how to position it, then place it in the cavity and push down firmly to put it back in place.
- If this isn’t possible, keep the tooth in milk or a saline solution or in your mouth up against your cheek. The goal is to keep the cells in the root alive until the tooth can be successfully reunited with its cavity.
- Whether you’ve managed to get the tooth back in or not, make an emergency dental appointment with us as soon as possible.