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What’s the first thing to do when you’ve lost a tooth? When you were a young child, your answer might have been, “Put it under my pillow for the Tooth Fairy!”
But now, you know a lost tooth—when it’s not a primary or “baby” tooth—is more likely to cause worry than celebration. The pain and potential for further problems that can accompany a tooth falling out or getting knocked out take more than some money under a pillow to solve.
Here’s a step-by-step guide from the experts at Penn Dental Family Practice (PDFP) to what you or someone in your family should do after losing a tooth.
5 Immediate Steps To Take After You’ve Lost a Tooth
Losing a tooth is a dental emergency. At any age, it can feel stressful or scary. However, knowing exactly what to do next can alleviate anxiety and increase the likelihood of good oral health outcomes.
1. Find and keep your lost tooth, if at all possible.
Handle the tooth carefully by its crown (the part typically visible in the mouth). Avoid touching its root (the portion below the gum line). Place it in a container of milk or tooth preservation solution to keep it moist. Should you need to clean it, do so gently, to avoid rubbing or scraping it.
Keeping your lost tooth matters because, depending on the circumstances, your dentist’s tooth replacement options may include reattaching it.
2. Rinse the mouth with warm water.
Gently rinse your mouth with warm water. Rinsing not only cleans the site where your tooth was but also removes any debris.
3. Apply pressure to stop any bleeding.
If any bleeding has occurred after your tooth fell out or was knocked out, apply gentle pressure to the area with clean gauze or cloth.
Once the bleeding has stopped, avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting, which could dislodge the blood clot and make healing take longer.
4. Use safe methods of pain relief, as needed.
If you’re feeling pain, you can take such over-the-counter pain medication as ibuprofen to help alleviate it and reduce swelling.
You can also use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Hold it on the area for 5-10 minutes at a time, taking breaks in between. Avoid placing ice directly on your skin because doing so can cause damage.
5. Contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will assess your specific situation and determine the best course of action.
Why and How Your Dentist May Replace Your Missing Tooth
Again, unless the lost tooth is a baby tooth, replacing it is usually a high priority. (Sometimes when you’ve lost one of your permanent teeth, such as a wisdom tooth, replacement may not be as important if the loss isn’t causing problems.)
When a tooth is lost, neighboring teeth may shift out of position to fill the gap. This movement can result in misaligned teeth, which in turn lead to bite problems and difficulties chewing. It could also result in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
In addition, when a tooth is missing, the surrounding bone that once supported it can begin to deteriorate over time. This deterioration leads to a loss of bone density in the jaw, which can affect the jawbone’s overall structure and function.
A missing tooth can affect your speech and appearance, making you feel self-conscious and lowering your self-esteem. Replacing the tooth becomes a quality-of-life issue.
For all these reasons, addressing a missing tooth promptly is important.
What tooth replacement options are available? Your dentist will determine the best option for your circumstances, but options include:
Reattachment
If the tooth is properly preserved, a chance exists that the dentist can reattach it. However, success depends on the extent of damage to the tooth and the surrounding tissues, and how quickly the patient seeks treatment.
Dental Implants
Dental implants involve surgically placing a metal post in the jawbone, which acts as a root for the replacement tooth. The dentist then attaches a crown to the implant, creating a natural-looking and functional replacement tooth.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges consist of a false tooth held in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. Bridges are a good option for patients who aren’t candidates for dental implants.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are removable appliances used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are made of a combination of metal and acrylic, and are custom-made to fit your mouth. Partial dentures can be a cost-effective option for replacing lost teeth.
At PDFP, our skilled dentists have extensive experience in tooth repair and replacement. They will assess your situation, explain your options, and restore your smile using the most advanced materials and patient-focused techniques.
They will also discuss tooth replacement costs with you to make sure your treatment for your missing tooth won’t leave too much money missing from your budget.
Schedule your appointment with us online now or call us at 215-898-PDFP (7337).
