What is an avulsed tooth?

An avulsed tooth is one that has been knocked out. A tooth can be knocked out by a blow to the mouth, or an accident involving the face. This can happen for example while playing contact sports. The tooth can be replaced in the socket successfully if you take the right action 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 cause the bleeding to get worse. 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?

Don’t touch the root. If the tooth is very dirty, rinse it with milk or tap water. Do not clean it with disinfectant or let it dry out. Try to put it in the socket if you can or store in milk if you can’t.

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 putting back a baby tooth in case an infection damaged the adult tooth underneath. Contact your dental team as soon as possible for advice. They may need to examine the child to check if any bits of tooth are still in the gum. There is no way to temporarily replace a baby tooth, so the only treatment is to wait for the adult tooth to appear.

Where should I get emergency dental treatment?

It is important to get emergency dental treatment. Phone the practice number on 01565 632343 and you should be given information on when and where you will be treated. The dental team will then tell you what treatment will be needed.

Latest News