First Aid tips for oral health

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Knocked Out Tooth

 

Permanent Tooth Only

Have someone look around the location where the injury occurred for the tooth that was knocked out.

If found, DO NOT attempt to clean the tooth. (Washing the tooth off could destroy the connective fibers which help anchor the tooth in the socket).

• Gently shake gross debris free.
• Handle the tooth only by the crown, the portion normally visible in the mouth.
• If possible place the tooth back into the socket before a blood clot forms in the socket.
• If the patient is not cooperative or if no one is comfortable with reinserting the tooth in its socket, place the tooth in a cup of milk (preferred storage medium) or water or wrap it in a clean wet cloth or gauze. A commercial emergency tooth preserving system may also be used.

Contact the parent/caregiver as soon as possible and arrange to have the patient immediately taken to the dentist. Many times the tooth can be successfully re-implanted if accomplished within one hour.

• Check on patient's medical/dental history to see if the tetanus immunization is current. If not current, inform the parent/caregiver that the child should be taken to the family physician within 24 hours for a booster injection.
• If the family dentist is not available for emergency care, use a referral dentist arranged by the institution or agency - with such protocol having been previously understood by involved persons.