Your Tooth Fell Out…Now What?

Lost a tooth? It’s alarming, and sometimes you aren’t sure what to do. Our Boise dentists are here to help you out!

What NOT to do:

There are a few things you should definitely NOT do when handling a lost tooth. For example, DO NOT…

• Touch the root of the tooth
• Scrape dirt off the root
• Brush the tooth
• Wash the tooth
• Find the tooth if possible!
• Place it in a container in milk
• Take it to our Boise dentists as soon as possible

Here’s what you SHOULD do:

• Find the tooth if possible!
• Place it in a container in milk
• Take it to our Boise dentists as soon as possible

Other Questions to Our Boise Dentists Might Ask:

So you’ve found the tooth and put it in milk. You aren’t done yet! Here are a few more things to consider:

Was the tooth the result of trauma to the head?

If so, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Possible complications could be a concussion or a broken jaw, among others. What you should not do is rely on internet articles for a medical issue. Instead, find a doctor who can help you.

Did the tooth fall out as a result of infection?

If the tooth fell out of its own accord and the area surrounding it is swollen and inflamed for no other apparent reason, it may have been caused by decay or infection. In this case, you need to make an appointment with our Boise dentists as soon as possible as it could be a sign of advanced gum disease. Even if it is not possible to restore the tooth, the hole it left can spread infection and can cause your other teeth to shift.

Will I Need Boise Dental Implants?

So, are you wondering whether you’ll need Boise dental implants? The answer is that it depends. If you can recover the tooth  and get to the dentist quickly, our Boise dentists may be able to re-implant the tooth. However, if the tooth fell out due to decay, chances that the tooth can be re-implanted aren’t as high. Instead, you’ll need a tooth implant or tooth bridge to protect the rest of your teeth from shifting.

Have you lost a tooth? What happened, and where you able to save it? Let us know the story on Facebook!

Resources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000058.htm

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/handling-dental-emergencies