Perhaps some people feel it is better to bury one’s head in the sand rather than deal with a dental emergency, but chances are most people will be involved in one accident or another, whether it is on the sports ground, in childcare or simply out and about. So it is best to be informed in order to be able to do the right thing in a stressful situation.
Dentists in Mackay are compassionate, proactive and will provide their patients with as much information as possible upon hearing about anyone who is experiencing a dental trauma. It is important to contact a dental practice as quickly as possible, in order to seek an appointment to aid yourself or any other patient concerned and limit and further complications.
If a tooth that has been knocked out, every minute counts. There is not much one can do for a knocked out child’s tooth, but in the case of an adult tooth being knocked out, patients should try to replace it after cleaning it with a saline solution.
However, no attempt should be made to reinsert a baby tooth as this can damage the permanent tooth that is sitting below the socket, or even fuse to the bone making it harder to fall out when the time has come for it to do so.
By following the advice given over the phone from a dental professional at Northern Beaches Dental in Mackay, patients are able to do the best they possibly can given the situation.
What are some general tips that can help to save a knocked out tooth?
If a patient finds they cannot insert their knocked out tooth back into the socket, then they should place the tooth in a small glass of milk. If they can reach a dental practice within the hour of the accident occurring, patients are giving the cells in their tooth the best possible chance of survival and therefore allowing the dentist to potentially save that tooth.
Milk is the best liquid to place a tooth into, as the cells do not swell up and burst as they do when the tooth is simply placed into water. Saline water can also be useful. If the patient can simply place the tooth in their mouth, then saliva is better than nothing.
When people wrap a tooth up in a napkin or similar, then the delicate pulp and nerve tissues within the tooth dry up, potentially killing them. Unfortunately a dentist will not be able to work with a tooth that has dried out. Placing the tooth in a plastic wrap would be better than in a napkin or other drying material. The more moist the tooth is, the better.
If a tooth has been broken or chipped, patients can make an effort to rinse the mouth out with saline water to keep the area as clean as possible. They can then cover the sharp, jagged end with some wax or sugarless chewing gum so that it does not cut the inside of the mouth or cause further injury.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.