The average adult has 32 teeth and these have all appeared by the time you are 21. The only exception is your wisdom teeth which may appear in your early twenties. These teeth are expected to last you for the rest of your life Which means they may have to last seventy or eighty years, in some cases even longer. The better medicine gets at extending life the longer your teeth need to last.
To help achieve this you need regular dental check-ups, to brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. It is best to see a holistic dentist as they will look at your overall health when deciding the best dental treatment for you. This recognizes the fact that oral health affects overall health.
However, despite the best care it is still possible to lose a tooth. It is often a result of trauma. The good news is that, in many cases, the tooth can be saved and reattached!
Get the tooth First
You can’t save the tooth unless you have it. That means, after you lose a tooth, you’ll need to find it. The quicker the better as it can only survive for a limited time outside of your mouth. You need to remember to avoid touching the root. This is the most sensitive part and can be easily damaged. That will make it much harder for it to reattach itself.
Rinse It
You’ll want to keep your tooth as clean as possible to avoid bacteria getting inside it and potentially causing an infection in your mouth.
Holding it by the crown you need to rinse the tooth. Rinsing should be focused on the root. You can use milk, water, or a saline solution. But be gentle, rinse only, you don’t want to damage it.
Put It in Your Mouth
You can travel to the dentist with the tooth in milk. However, the best idea is to simply put the tooth back into the empty socket and gently bite on a piece of gauze. This will ensure the tooth is in its natural environment and reduce any potential damage.
If you can’t get it into the socket carry the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and your gums, it will help it to stay healthy.
Get To the Dentist
In some cases, popping the tooth back in is all it takes. However, in all cases, you should now make an emergency dental appointment and get the tooth checked over. The dentist may simply monitor it, or they may slide it back out and reposition it properly.
If you can’t get to a dentist then you’ll have to head to the hospital and get medical assistance. They can make sure the tooth is seated correctly. This reduces the likelihood of infection and the cost of an implant.
Don’t forget, the quicker you see a dentist or get to the ER the more likely it is they will be able to save your tooth. That’s Important for your smile and your confidence.