What You Should Do with a Dislodged Tooth

A tooth usually becomes dislodged during the course of an injury. A dislodged tooth is one in which the tooth was either pushed partially into or partially out of its socket. If you find yourself with a dislodged tooth, here is the best strategy for trying to save it.

The first thing you will want to do is to contact your dentist, as a dislodged tooth is considered a dental emergency. The sooner you get to a dental professional, the better the odds of saving your tooth is. Make sure not to touch the dislodged tooth, though. Also, do not try to remove it. Even if it is just hanging there from the socket, do not try to remove it. If you are in pain, then it is recommended that you take painkillers.

When you get to the dentist, he or she will attempt to reposition and stabilize your tooth. X-rays will usually then be taken to assess the damage. In many instances, the nerve of the tooth will have been damaged when the tooth was dislodged. In this case, the dentist will likely recommend a root canal. A root canal will remove the infected pulp and allow you to keep your natural tooth, as long as it has been restored with a crown.

There is growing evidence that children under the age of 12 may not need a root canal if they suffer a dislodged tooth. Their teeth are still growing, and in some cases it may be possible to stimulate the pulp in their teeth to encourage healing.

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