Dental emergency

 

What is to be done when someone falls and "knocks -out" (avulses) a tooth? If the tooth is a "baby" (primary) tooth it goes to the "tooth' fairy, but if a permanent tooth is lost the following protocol is recommended. Lightly rinse off the tooth... do not scrub it. There is a definite front and back to the tooth and place the tooth in the socket as soon as possible. This includes teeth that are avulsed on the playground. Once again, do not scrub the dirt off... rinse it off. There is a ligament tissue (the periodontal ligament) that surrounds the tooth and is vital to the possibility of the tooth being successfully re-implanted. Place pressure on the tooth to get it aligned. If the periodontal ligament is allowed to dry out for an extend period of time, failure is ensured. Anything out of the mouth more than 30 min. is doomed for failure. Obviously, call the family dentist who will need to splint the tooth to the patients other teeth. Another option but not as good, is to place the tooth in cold milk or in the cheeks of the patient (making sure they do not swallow it!) and see the dentist immediately.