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Knocked Out Tooth! Don’t Panic.

By on June 2, 2017

There’s a good chance that a dislodged tooth can be saved if you take the right steps.

My very active 10-year-old loves climbing and swinging in the playground. What should I do if she falls and knocks out one of her permanent teeth?

Firstly, it is important to establish that the child is conscious. If the child is unconscious, they must be rushed immediately to the hospital. In a conscious child, provided that the avulsed (dislodged) tooth can be re-inserted within an hour, there is a good chance of successful re-implantation, so get to a dentist fast!  In order to achieve successful re-implantation of the tooth, there needs to be minimal disturbance to the cell layer on the avulsed tooth, so wash the tooth gently—using only the child’s saliva.

Then, if possible, put the tooth back into its socket. If it is re-inserted properly it should stay there until you can get to the dentist to have it stabilized.  If this is not possible, store the tooth in a container of milk until you can consult a dentist.

If a child less than nine years of age avulses a permanent tooth, it is likely that the apex of the tooth will not have finished forming. While an accident should be handled in the same way as above, the consequences are less certain than with an older child. A baby tooth should not be re-inserted, as this may damage the permanent tooth that will follow.As with any tooth problem, it is important to seek the advice of your dental professional if you are unsure about anything.

About Dr. Yumna Mohideen

Dr. Yumna Mohideen (BDS) has lived in Tokyo for six years and is a mother of two little girls. She has, having graduated from The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, practiced general dentistry in the UK and as a Research Fellow at Tsurumi Dental University in Yokohama, Japan. Her area of specialist is Restorative Dentistry.