IF TOOTH KNOCKED OUT BY INJURY

Stephen was riding his skateboard down the driveway. He lost his balance and fell to the pavement. He wiped the blood from his mouth and found his upper front tooth in his hand. What do you do? Luckily, your dentist can deal effectively with this kind of dental emergency. But he'll need your help.

Collect the tooth and wrap it in a wet cloth, or place it in a glass of slightly salted water. Best of all is to place the tooth back in the socket if possible, but only if its not dirty and gritty from being on the ground. Bring the child immediately to your dentist's office. Don't waste time because the chances for a successful replantation are best if done within 30 minutes to an hour after the mishap.

Some parents rush their child to the dentist, but in their haste forget to bring the tooth. Don't forget the tooth! And, don't try to clean it yourself - even if it looks messy. What looks like dirt may actually be soft tissues-periodontal ligaments- that will help the healing process when the tooth is reinserted into its socket. The younger the patient, the better the chances of success. Long-lasting results have been disappointing in replanting teeth in adults. It may be worth a try, but bridges and implants are more predictable then.

For even more up-to-date information on saving that tooth: Email Dr.Williams

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