Panic! At the Dentist: What to Do When a Tooth is Knocked Out

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Your smile is often your ticket into the world.  It says so much about your personality, health, and attitude. Undergoing the trauma of losing a tooth can be distressing, whether it breaks suddenly or is knocked out.  However, there are steps in place to minimize its impact.  

The first thing is prevention.  Do what you can to avoid losing a natural tooth in the first place.  

• If you are participating in a contact sport, use a mouthguard.  Examples of contact sports are football, basketball, and ice hockey.  Don’t forget about semi-contact sports like softball, volleyball, and baseball.  Allen Dental can help you learn more about custom-made mouthguards for you or your children.
• Wear seat belts.  This is a common sense approach, but one that often fails when counted the most.  
• Use caution to prevent falls.  Challenging weather, construction, or hiking can catch us off guard so pay attention when walking.   
• Avoid hard foods such as hard candy, stale bagels, and unpopped kernels.

If you do lose a tooth, here’s what you can do to minimize the situation.  

• Do not panic.  It is easy to get emotional when seeing blood, undergoing the trauma, and thinking about long term implications.  Stay in the moment.  If you remain calm,  you will respond with purpose and practicality.  
• Call your dentist immediately.  Oftentimes it is possible to see him immediately and the mouth can be healed and a plan put into place as to how to repair and replant the tooth.  
• Control the bleeding by applying direct pressure on the mouth by using a gauze or wet tea bag.
• Save the tooth or part of a tooth that has been knocked out.  
• Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root.  Trying placing it back in your mouth to make it level, if this doesn’t work, place the tooth in a small container with cow’s milk or saliva.  Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.  That said, do not try to wipe dirt by scraping the tooth or using a brush to clean it.  It is important to keep the integrity of the tooth intact.  

While this can be traumatizing, if certain steps are taken immediately, it minimizes the effects of the tooth being knocked out.  With the right dentist on hand, a strategic plan can put into place and you’ll return to your radiant smile in no time.    

Allen Dental is there to help with preventive care such as mouthguards, but also provides routine cleanings, pain-free dental procedures, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry.  Call us at 608-786-3303.

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Sources:

www.allendental.net/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000058.htm

Are Fastbraces Right for You?

Before you even speak, your smile is saying a lot about you. For individuals in need of orthodontic work, this beautiful smile can be hidden. Additionally, many think that they are too old for braces or do not want to go through the long process of orthodontic treatment. If this describes you or someone you know, Fastbraces might be the right orthodontic solution.

 

The approach

Unlike traditional braces that use rectangular brackets (as shown in the photo above) Fastbraces use triangular brackets. This configuration changes the spacing between each bracket, and impacts how the pressure is applied to your teeth. Rectangular brackets move your teeth in two stages, starting with the crown of the tooth, followed by the root. However, when a patient has Fastbraces, the crowns and roots move at the same time making the process much quicker. With standard braces, your orthodontic treatment will last an average of 24 months; however, Fastbraces treatments can be completed in as little as three months (typical treatment is about half the time of traditional braces).

 

The Process

The first step in any orthodontic treatment is examining your teeth. The doctor will take X-rays to get a clear view of any issues both above and below the surface of your gums. Once this evaluation is complete, they can determine if you are a good candidate for the Fastbrace treatment or some other orthodontic therapy. While most patients do qualify for Fastbraces, the treatment cannot address impacted teeth, those in need of additional surgical treatments, joint conditions and some extreme situations such as severe underbites.

 

Similar to traditional braces, the next step in the process is to attach the Fastbraces brackets and wires to your teeth. Throughout the Fastbrace therapy, the orthodontist will monitor your progress to makes sure your teeth improving as expected. After the treatment is complete you will be fitted for a retainer which will help your teeth to hold their new and improved placement.

 

Are you considering orthodontic work? Contact the team at Allen Dental to discuss if Fastbraces are right for you. In addition to orthodontia work, our caring staff provides a variety of dental services including general dentistry, dental implants and cosmetic procedures. And, for busy parents. we offer a free shuttle service to all West Salem, Wisconsin Schools. 

Whole Family Dentistry Happens At Allen Dental

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Don’t forget to floss. Remember to use mouthwash to kill any extra, hidden germs lurking in your mouth! Keep a careful eye out for potential dangers signs, such as unusual spots, lumps, or discolored patches and let us know if there’s unusual pain!

These are words of wisdom that you have been hearing from  your parents and your dentist since before you can remember. No one understands better than your friends and experts at Allen Dental that your oral health is something that requires yearly care that can change as you age. No matter what stage of life you are in, your teeth, mouth and gums require attention. It doesn’t matter if you are 2, 20, or 70 years old, we will always care about who you are, how you are doing, and what we can be doing to make you better.

Whole family dentistry makes going to the dentist quick, efficient, and stress-free. One of the biggest benefits and conveniences for mom’s and dad’s at Allen Dental is "Fast Family Scheduling." If a family is being seen for their semi-annual routine check-up and cleaning, Allen Dental can schedule the whole family at the same time and get them all checked, cleaned and on their way in about an hour. 

For children, we instill the most vital lessons of oral hygiene early on to prevent pesky problems, such as cavities, from developing. As those children mature into their middle school and teen years, our orthodontic team reminds each patient that braces are a great way to correct crooked teeth and enhance your already beautiful smile. As time continues to pass, other dental services, such as teeth whitening, crowns can be options for cosmetic improvement as your teeth age with you. And finally, at Allen Dental, we offer the highest quality dentures and dental implants to our senior patients, so they can always smile with confidence.

We make it our business to not only know about you and your oral medical history, but the oral medical histories of your entire family as well. When you make an appointment to your personal physician and they ask you the reason for your visit, no matter what brings you into a typical doctor’s appointment, your family’s medical background and how it can impact you today is always considered. So why should that be any different when you visit your dentist? At Allen Dental, it’s exactly the same. Here, we know where you’ve come from and what you’ve encountered in the past. That’s because we take care of entire families year-round, and have in-depth knowledge on their oral health and background. And we’d be honored to give that same care to you and your family.

Allen Dental focuses on the health of you and your whole family, at any point of your life. Request your next appointment today by visiting www.allendental.net You can also reach us by phone at 608-786-3303.