When many people think of dental problems, they may imagine cavities and gum disease. However, it is an unfortunate reality that you can have teeth knocked out or loosened. If this occurs, you may not be familiar with the steps that you should take. By learning the following few tips, you will be better prepared to address this problem if it were to arise.

Keep The Tooth If It Is Possible

It can be easy to assume that you will not be able to replace the tooth. However, there can be instances where the tooth may be reinserted into the mouth. For this reason, you will want to keep the tooth and seek treatment as soon as possible. To help preserve the tooth while you are going to the dentist, you should place it in a plastic bag with a small amount of water. The moisture will help to keep the root of the tooth alive, and the bag will help to protect it against damage.

Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Water

When a tooth is knocked out, it can create a sizable gap in your gums, which can expose it to bacteria. As a result, you should thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the wound. Avoid using mouthwash as this can be harsh enough to harm the exposed gum tissue. Your dentist will be able to administer sanitizing solutions that are designed for use on mouth wounds, which will help to minimize your pain and the damage to your gums.

Use Gauze To Encourage The Bleeding To Stop

Stopping the bleeding is important to minimize blood loss as well as helping to keep the wound clean. Also, if you can limit the amount of blood in the mouth it will make it easier for the dentist to inspect the damage, which may help expedite treatment. For these reasons, you should use gauze to apply pressure to the wound in order to stop the bleeding. If you are unable to get the bleeding to stop, you will want to take gauze with you for the ride to the dentist as it may be necessary to replace it.

When you have the bad luck of having one of your teeth knocked out, it is important for you to be prepared and informed about how to handle this situation. To this end, you need to appreciate the fact that it may be possible to place the tooth back in your mouth, the importance of cleaning the wound with warm water and using gauze to stop the bleeding. By taking these steps, you may be able to greatly minimize the damage that your mouth experiences. For more information, contact companies like Brookside Dental Associate.