My Tooth has been Avulsed..

Avulsed Tooth

(I am writing this post because this had happened to me when i was young, and i didn't know what to do. So i wanted to make everybody aware of this..)

Reference:

http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/leafletdetail.php?LeafletID=47

What is an avulsed tooth ?

An avulsed tooth is one that has been knocked out.

A tooth can be knocked out for a number of reasons: often a blow to the mouth, or an accident involving the face. This can happen for example during contact sports. It is possible to replace the tooth in the socket successfully if the right action is taken as soon as possible.

I’m bleeding – what can I do ?

Don’t panic. Get a clean handkerchief and fold it up, then hold it over the socket and bite down. Keep your jaws together to apply pressure. If you need something for the pain, don’t take any medication containing aspirin as this can encourage further bleeding, you can take brufen®. Do not apply clove oil to the wound.

I’ve still got the complete tooth, can it be replaced ?

Maybe. The complete tooth needs to be replaced in the socket as soon as possible, ideally in under 30 minutes. But teeth have been successfully replaced up to 60 minutes after being knocked out.

What should I do with the tooth ?

Avoid handling the root. If it is very dirty, rinse it with milk and wipe it with a clean cloth. Do not clean it with disinfectant or water or let it dry out.

How do I put the tooth back in ?

Hold the tooth by the crown and put it back into the socket firmly, root first. Bite on a clean

handkerchief for about 15-20 minutes.

What should I do if I can’t get the tooth back in ?

Your tooth has more chance of survival if you keep it in your cheek or under your tongue until you can get emergency dental treatment. This will keep the tooth in its most natural environment. If this is not possible, keep it in some milk.

What if I have only got part of the tooth that has been knocked out ?

It is not a good idea to try and put the tooth back into the socket if it is not complete. Contact your dental surgeon as soon as possible and your dentist will tell you what options are available to restore the tooth. You may need dental x-rays to see if there is any root damage.

Is there anything I should do if I haven’t got the tooth ?

If you cannot find the tooth, you may have swallowed it. If you think you may have swallowed or inhaled it, you may need an x-ray to be sure of this.

What if it is a baby tooth ?

Most dentists would not recommend re-implanting a baby tooth in case an infection damaged the adult tooth underneath. Contact your dentist as soon as possible for advice. They may need to examine the child to check if any fragments of tooth are still in the gum. There is no way of temporarily replacing a baby tooth, so the treatment is to wait for the adult tooth to come through and dentist may make a space maintainer to keep room for the adult tooth .

What should happen at my emergency visit ?

Your dentist will assess the immediate situation and may treat any facial injury. However, treatment may be limited if there is any bruising or bleeding. They may take x-rays and will check if the tooth has re-implanted successfully. You will probably need more appointments for follow up treatment.

What further treatment options will be available to me ?

If the tooth has re-implanted successfully you may not need any further treatment as long as you keep up your regular check-ups with your dentist. If the tooth becomes loose, it can be splinted to the teeth next to it. This means it will be temporarily attached to keep it firm until your dentist can tell whether it has re-implanted successfully.
If the tooth is lost or doesn’t implant successfully, it can be replaced at first with a denture immediate dental implant. Then, when the socket has healed fully, you can have a bridge or implant.

Is there anything that I can do to avoid getting a tooth knocked out ?

You could wear a mouthguard if you are sport man, cover that fits over your teeth and protects you against a blow to the mouth. Your dentist can have one made for you by taking an impression of your teeth.