“What should I do if my tooth fell out?” It’s an unsettling experience.
Although it can be an embarrassing situation, it’s crucial that you see Dr. Nicholas S. St. George right away. Your tooth might have fallen out, but he might be able to save your tooth as long as you follow the proper procedures.
What are the possible causes of why your tooth fell out?
Your tooth may fall out because of an accidental fall, sports-related trauma, car accident, and fighting. Biting on chewy or hard food can also cause your tooth to either loose or fall out.
What is the first thing that you must do?
Go to your dentist as soon as possible. If you don’t, you’ll have less chance of saving it. When it fell out, make sure that you hold it by the crown or the chewing edge.
You can place it back in your mouth in the area where it fell out. Then, bite down on a gauze to keep it in place.
Or you can put it in a container. Cover it with your saliva or cow’s milk.
To control bleeding, you may apply direct pressure using a clean gauze. To ease the pain, apply a cold compress. But don’t use it directly on the affected area. Instead, place it on the outside of your mouth.
Now, if it’s badly broken, you should seek dental help immediately to avoid infection and pain.
On the other hand, if you only had a simple chip or a broken tooth that doesn’t cause you discomfort, it may not be an emergency case. However, you must have your tooth fixed as soon as possible especially if the tooth had sharp edges that might cut your lips or tongue.
If your tooth could no longer be saved, there are options that you could have.
One of them is to get a dental implant. It’s the most expensive option. However, it’s also the most ideal as you’ll have a permanent tooth replacement that’s not different from the rest of your teeth.
A dental implant can also resolve tooth spacing. The price will depend on the number of implants.
If you couldn’t afford a dental implant, you could get a bridge. It would cost a bit less, but it wouldn’t take longer to complete the procedures.
The least expensive option is to get a partial denture or a fake removable tooth. It’s attached to the surrounding teeth using a metal clasp. Unfortunately, the metal can be visible. Unlike dental implants, an artificial tooth can affect how you chew.
It requires a long-term commitment to a healthy dental routine and diet. If you wish to avoid losing your adult teeth, make sure that you commit to regular brushing and flossing. It’s also vital that you go to your dentist’s clinic at least twice a year.
You should also avoid participating in activities that would highly likely cause an injury to your mouth. If you play a particular sport, make sure that you wear a mouth guard.