Even if we take the best possible care of our teeth, damage can still occur thanks to accidents. Whether it’s a sports injury, a fall or another type of accident, teeth can occasionally become completely knocked out. Of course, these accidents do not only happen within normal working hours – accidents can happen at any time. If an accident does occur, it’s important to know what to do in advance, as it is often the case that time is of the essence when dealing with emergency dental problems. Above all, try to stay calm and act as quickly and efficiently as possible.

So what should I do if I lose a tooth?

While losing a tooth can be a frightening experience, try to act calmly and don’t panic. Firstly, try to find the tooth that has been knocked out and, if you can, call your dentist to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. Try to rinse the area around where the tooth has been lost, but don’t scrub the area as this will damage the tissue, not to mention the pain this will cause. Do not try to remove any fragments of tooth still in the jaw, but if you can, gently insert the tooth back into its socket. If you cannot do this or are worried that you might end up swallowing the tooth, store it in a glass of cold milk or water, or wrap it in a clean, damp cloth. If you manage to see a dentist within ten minutes, the tooth has a very good chance of ‘taking root’ again in your mouth. Act quickly, as if you wait as long as two hours, it will be very unlikely for the tooth to re-fix itself.