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Imagine biting into a hard apple when suddenly, you’ve lost a tooth, and you’re rushing to visit an emergency dental in Nashville, TN. Dental emergencies can happen at any given moment, be it while eating hard candy or after tripping and falling. When that happens, here are some quick measures to consider so you can recover your full smile.  

What to Do When You Suddenly Lose a Tooth  

You may lose a tooth for several reasons, especially as an adult. Trauma, tooth decay, and even illnesses like periodontitis can weaken the bones supporting your teeth, making you more prone to tooth loss.  

A 2016 study found that over the previous 50 years, tooth loss in adults aged 65 to 75 decreased by more than 75%. This can be partially attributed to increased public awareness of the value of emergency care and how it can help replace lost teeth.  

Here’s a step-by-step of how you should act: 

1. Clean the Lost Tooth 

If you hit your face or mouth hard during an accident, the force of the impact likely caused the tooth to dislodge. Fortunately, there is still a good chance of recovering if you visit an emergency dental office within 30 minutes of the injury. 

Even if the tooth is only broken, we may be able to bond the pieces back together. Collect all the fragments you can find and rinse them gently with water while holding the tooth by the crown (the top part). Avoid touching the root and do not use soap or chemicals to clean it. 

2. Reposition the Tooth 

Once the root is properly cleaned, you should immediately reposition the tooth in the socket and bite softly to keep it in place. If it can’t be placed, put the tooth in milk or an emergency tooth preservation kit. You could also hold the tooth in your mouth next to your cheek. This moisture will help preserve the cells on the root of the tooth, which are critical for successful reattachment. 

Avoid wrapping the tooth in a cloth or tissue, as this can damage the tooth’s surface and make it less likely to survive. 

3. Get Emergency Dental Care 

When a permanent tooth is knocked out, we can sometimes successfully replant it. However, you must act quickly. Seek emergency dental care as soon as possible, as the chances of successful reattachment depend on prompt and proper handling of the tooth. If the tooth is not handled correctly or treatment is delayed, the likelihood of success decreases significantly. 

You should make an appointment right away even if your tooth breaks but isn’t knocked out completely. Use warm water to rinse the area, particularly if your gums are sore, and cover it with dental wax if the tooth has sharp edges that cause discomfort. 

Find an Emergency Dental in Nashville, TN  

Tooth loss is not just about losing a tooth: it can significantly impact your quality of life, from affecting speech and self-esteem to restricting your diet.  

Luckily, with an emergency visit to Greenwood Local Dentistry, you can replace your missing tooth without needing restorative dentistrystorative-dentistry treatments like dental implants. Act promptly and reach out to us today!