Having a Tooth Knocked Out is a Common Injury

          Having a permanent tooth knocked out is a fairly common accident in the United States with more than 5 million dental avulsions, as they are called, occurring in children and adults each year.  Most cases are due to sports injuries or fighting, but accidental falls, car accidents and biting on hard food can be other causes of this largely preventable injury.

What to Do

          Because the tooth in many cases can be saved, these injuries should be treated as a medical emergency.  The chance of saving the tooth is greatest if the following steps are started within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury:

-First locate the tooth and rinse it gently under running water.

-Next, try to replace it in the socket, applying gentle pressure.

-If you cannot replace it in the socket, place the tooth in a glass of milk.

-Finally, go immediately to the dentist or nearest emergency room.

          It is important to handle the tooth carefully, picking it up by the chewing surface, so as not to injure the root.  The tooth should not be scrubbed and should be kept moist at all times.

Follow Up and Prevention

          While the root of the tooth can reattach to bone, usually within 3 to 4 weeks, the nerves and blood vessels cannot be repaired.  For this reason, your dentist will most likely have to perform a root canal procedure.  Tooth injuries are best prevented by wearing a mouth guard while playing contact sports, avoiding fights,  always wearing seatbelts in the car and avoiding hard foods.