If one of your teeth is knocked out due to a fall or some other type of event, there is only a short window of time to get to an emergency dentist in Phoenix Arizona and attempt to save it. During the quick call to let the dentist know what has happened, expect to receive a few instructions on how to protect the tooth. Using these tips will increase the odds of being able to successfully settle the tooth back into the socket and keep it for a long time.
Rinse the Tooth With Water
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with clean water. Take care to pick it up by the crown and not by the root. This will make it all the easier to keep the tooth moist and also prevent more bacteria from collecting on the surface.
Try to Insert It Back Into the Socket
Expect the emergency dentist Phoenix Arizona to recommend inserting the tooth in the empty socket. This will go a long way toward protecting the tooth and providing a little more time to get to the dental clinic. It also means you can keep the tooth moist and decrease the potential for damaging it further as you are on the way to meet the emergency dentist.
If That Won’t Work, Wrap the Tooth in a Clean Moist Cloth
If inserting the tooth into the socket is not possible, find a clean cloth and moisten it with water. Wrap the tooth carefully in the cloth and get on the way to the dental clinic at once. You may want to bring along some water to help keep the cloth moistened. Remember that your goal is to get to a dental professional in 30 minutes or less.
The fact that a tooth is knocked out doesn’t mean it’s necessarily gone for good. With the right approach and help from an emergency dentist Phoenix Arizona, there’s an excellent chance of saving the tooth. Follow the instructions to the letter and don’t waste any time seeking help. Even a few minutes can be the difference between successfully settling the tooth back into the socket and needing some type of replacement.