Tooth Knocked Out? What Next?

If you’ve just had a tooth knocked out then you’ll want to act quickly. Since it may be an emergency, call us immediately on (03) 9882 6606 so you can book in to see one of our Dentists at Hawthorn East to have it seen to. Ideally, you’ll want to see a dentist within 30 minutes however, a tooth can be saved after 30 minutes but this will be assessed upon arrival.

When you lose a permanent tooth, take a note of the time you lost it then take these steps:

Step 1: Find the tooth and avoid handling the bottom (root end) but hold it from the chewing end.

Step 2: Rinse it in saline or milk only (NO soap, no water and certainly no scrubbing, etc) to remove any  dirt. No need to dry it or wrap it in anything.

Step 3: Once clean, and if possible, put the tooth back in the socket in your mouth where it came from. It  may be necessary to hold it in place and close your mouth gently and bite down on it. Be sure to put it back
in  the right way.

If you are unable to put it back in the socket then either put it in some milk or in the side of our mouth. If  you think you will swallow it accidently, then putting it in milk is the best option. The tooth must be kept  moist but don’t put your tooth in water.

Step 4: See a qualified dentist who can accurately assess the damage and provide the best
recommendation.

Why Recommend That the Tooth is Kept in Milk?

The tooth is made up of different components and the root is the pointy bit that sits below the gum. This is the part of the tooth we need to ensure is looked after until you can get to a dentist.

UHT Milk is the preferred way to store your knocked out tooth as was discovered in a Study conducted by Dr Walsh back in 1999.

“Milk is a good medium for storing knocked-out teeth because cells from the root surface don’t swell up and burst as they do when placed in water. It contains proteins which keep a constant acid to alkaline ratio, anti-bacterial substances as well as sugars to keep cells growing.” (source: University of Queensland)

However if you don’t specifically have UHT milk then use regular milk.

Can you put a tooth with a broken crown back in your mouth?

We still recommend you follow the above and keep the broken piece in milk. There are a number of options
for tooth repair that we can advise you on.

Should You Put a Baby Tooth back in its Socket?No, po

It is not recommended to re-implant a baby tooth.

What Happens if My Tooth is Gone?

If we are unable to save the tooth or it’s simply gone or beyond repair, we are able to assist you with cosmetic dentistry which may include dental implants, bridges, veneers and other dental options. We will be able to advise you once you see one of our dentists.

What Does Hawthorn East Dental Provide?

We are a highly qualified team of dentists offering a range of dental services. We have designed our dental practice with you in mind and we are known for our authentically gentle approach.

Our technology and experience mean you are going to get the best dental care we can offer. Try us and experience the difference.