What should you do if you lose a permanent tooth?

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There are two main ways you can lose a tooth: you will either undergo an extraction by your dentist or a nasty accident can result in you losing a tooth. Unfortunately, for many, the latter seems to be the more common scenario. 

If you do lose a permanent tooth, however, the damage can be repaired. If you act quickly, then there’s a better chance your dentist will even be able to save the tooth. So, here’s what to do if you lose a tooth.

Hold onto your tooth

It might sound unpleasant, but you want to hold onto your lost tooth. Once you’ve checked yourself over for injuries, then try to locate the missing tooth. However, you want to make sure to pick it up carefully and lift it by the crown, so as not to damage the root. 

If the tooth is dirty, continue to hold it by the crown and rinse it with milk. You want to keep the tooth moist also, either by dropping it into a glass of milk or carefully placing it between the cheek and gums. 

You can even try placing the tooth back into its socket, so long as it isn’t forced. Carefully push the tooth into the socket with your fingers, place it above the socket and close your mouth slowly. Once the tooth is level with your other teeth, hold it in place or bite down gently. If, however, your tooth will not go back into its socket then just keep it moist like mentioned above. 

Contact your dentist straight away

Losing a tooth is a dental emergency, so you want to contact your dentist right away. If your dental surgery is out of hours, still call as they might have instructions on their voicemail for what to do in the event of an emergency. Depending on your location, you can also look for an Emergency Dentist In London so you can get checked out right away and receive treatment should it be needed. 

It’s important to get help straight away if you have lost a tooth, and when you see your dentist, they will be able to decide the best treatment action. The sooner you can see a dentist, the better chance there is of saving the tooth. If you’ve managed to place your tooth back in its socket, then your dentist will check it’s in the right position and correct it if needed. For any tooth you’ve brought in milk for example, will be cleaned and the put back into socket. 

What if I lose a tooth and it’s damaged? 

Not all cases of a lost tooth are simple. Sometimes, it can be complicated, for example if your tooth or bone is broken. Again, it is important you contact your dentist straight away and get help for such a dental emergency. 

Your dentist will then be able to advise on the best treatment. Some cases may involve undergoing a root canal, while others might require composite bonds or dental implants. This will depend on the damage caused. Following your treatment, your dentist should then examine the tooth again in three to six months. 

 

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