When a tooth is knocked out or is loosened, the first thing that you need to do is to contact an emergency dentist in Easton PA. While it is always best to get to the emergency dentist as soon as possible, there might be times when circumstances will prevent this from happening. Here are the top tips for handling a loose or knocked out tooth until you can reach the dentist.
Tip #1: Don’t Touch The Tooth
While it may be difficult to avoid, it is always best to avoid touching the tooth if at all possible. If the tooth has been knocked completely out of the mouth, use a tissue to pick it up rather than picking it up with bare fingers. When the fingers touch the tooth, it can kill the exposed roots even more quickly than they would otherwise be killed. If the tooth must be touched, and there is simply no way around it, use the very tips of the fingers and touch the end of the tooth instead of the roots.
Tip #2: Keep The Tooth Healthy
While transporting a tooth, it is important to keep that tooth as healthy as possible. This means one of two things. The first option is placing the tooth in a glass of cow’s milk. Milk, whether full fat or reduced fat, has the ability to preserve the cells of the tooth roots. If a tooth is kept dry for as little as 15 to 20 minutes, it could die. However, when placed in a glass of cow’s milk, the tooth can last for an hour or more. This allows enough time to reach the dentist safely.
Another option for keeping the tooth healthy while on the way to the dentist is to place it back in the mouth. If possible, and if the tooth is relatively clean, it can be placed in the pocket it just vacated to help preserve it during the drive to the dentist. If you need to talk to an Emergency Dentist in Easton PA, click here to find out how to get in touch with an experienced dental care group!