Losing a baby tooth is quite common, but it’s not that common to lose an adult tooth. You may lose a tooth due to couple of reasons like tooth decay, gum disease, and external trauma. If your tooth has been knocked out due to external trauma, then you should visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. While you reach your dentist, there are some steps you can take to prevent worsening the situation further.
Many people are unaware, but you can save your natural tooth in such conditions. Taking these measures will help you save your natural teeth structure and prevent the condition from turning severe.
When your teeth falls off, don’t ignore it. As mentioned above, the dentist may be able to fix it back into the socket. So, find your fallen tooth and take it to the dentist immediately. But, before you get to the dentist there are certain other things you should do.
If your tooth has become dirty, you should clean it gently with water. Make sure you don’t scrub. Also, avoid using soap or chemicals when cleaning it. Your tooth needs to be kept moist, so, you can keep it in a container filled with milk.
You may even try fixing your tooth back into your gum pocket and prevent it from any possible damage. Firstly, stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean piece of gauze or a tea bag. Try repositioning your tooth. Apply pressure with your finger or bite gently to keep it intact. The saliva and your gums will keep the roots of your tooth from dying till you reach the dentist.
In order to save your tooth, you need to act fast. While you may take the above mentioned steps, you need to take an emergency dental appointment and rush to a dentist immediately. Don’t delay as your tooth may not be repositioned if it stays out of long.
Once you reach your dentist, depending on your condition the dentist may suggest one of the following methods to help you save your teeth structure:
A dental implant procedure includes a metal post surgically placed into your jaw to maintain its structure and prevent bone loss. The procedure is completed with a crown that acts as your original tooth. You can opt for porcelain crowns that will provide a natural look.
Dental bridges does not involve any surgical treatment. They are made of two or more crowns for the missing teeth and a false tooth/teeth in between. With the help of teeth on either side of the gap, dental bridges bridge the gap created by missing tooth/teeth.
Missing tooth, if left untreated can lead to serious problems like decay, crowding, and loss of jaw bone structure. Never ignore a knocked out tooth, and consult a dentist immediately in such conditions.