People often take their oral health for granted– until there is a problem. From minor toothaches to knocked-out teeth, there is a wide range of dental problems that may affect you at some point. It’s a good idea to learn what to do, especially since acting quickly may be essential for preserving your teeth.
Knocked-out teeth
A knocked-out tooth is also referred to as an “avulsed tooth.” This common problem is often the result of a sports injury (particularly hockey), a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or an act of violence. It is possible to save a knocked-out tooth, but you must take specific steps right away and get to the dentist within an hour. They may be able to re-implant and save the natural tooth if you take the following steps:
- Retrieve the knocked-out tooth holding onto the crown (white part) only. Do not touch the root.
- Rinse the tooth if you have clean water available (again, do not scrub the root).
- Place the tooth in a save-a-tooth kit if available. Otherwise, place it in a glass of milk. If you do not have milk handy, a glass of water will do in a pinch. You can also try to reinsert the tooth into the socket, but do not try to force it in, or you can tuck it between your cheek and teeth.
If the tooth cannot be saved, a cosmetic dentist could perform a dental implant procedure instead to replace the tooth with a synthetic one.
Loose crown
Crowns should not ordinarily become loose on their own. If yours does, it may be because of teeth clenching and grinding, physical trauma, or poor oral hygiene. If the tooth is merely loose and is not ready to fall out, call your dentist’s office for further guidance. In the meantime, try to avoid making it worse. For example, chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
If the crown does fall out, retrieve it, clean it, and then apply temporary dental cement to fix it back into place. Note that over-the-counter dental cement is not a long-term solution; you will need to go to your dentist promptly.
Toothache
Toothaches are among the most common dental complaints. They can be caused by a variety of issues, such as an abscess, cavity, or even food debris lodged between the teeth. If you think the latter is the issue– first, swish with water, and then gently floss the tooth to see if you can remove it. If that doesn’t relieve your toothache, it’s time to see your dentist. You may need a filling, a root canal, and a crown, or another treatment.
Visit the experienced dentists on Long Island
You can find the help you need at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry. We treat a full range of emergency dental issues, from chipped teeth and damaged dentures to jaw pain and knocked-out teeth, as well as problems of a less urgent nature. Call our cosmetic dentist in Huntington, Long Island at 631.212.8161, and we’ll fit you in as soon as possible.
Please note that our office is currently open for all types of dental appointments. We follow strict COVID protocols as recommended by the CDC and the American Dental Association (ADA). Thank you for wearing a mask at our office.
Additional resources for dental patients
- Very Well Health, The Most Common Dental Problems, https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-common-dental-problems-1059461
- American Association of Endodontists, Knocked Out Teeth, https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/knocked-out-teeth/
