Playing sports can sometimes be a dangerous business, and in the worst case it can lead to tooth loss. So what can you do if your tooth is knocked out? Time is of the essence, and it is important to act quickly as sometimes the tooth can be re-inserted back into the socket. However this is most successful if you can do it within the first half an hour to an hour after the accident occurred. You’ll need to recover the tooth through picking it up by its crown as it is best to try not to touch the root. Rinse any dirt off the tooth, but if there are any loose pieces of tissue still attached then leave these in position and don’t be tempted to remove them.
The next step is to try to re-insert the tooth. This is something you can try yourself, if you feel confident enough, but just try to make sure it is facing the right way! Once it is reinserted then use a clean finger to gently hold it in position, and visit Parrock Street as soon as you can as this is definitely a dental emergency. If you don’t want to reinsert it then pop it into a small container with some water or milk and bring it with you to our surgery. Dr Rik Trivedi or another of our Kent dentists will do their best to save it for you. Unfortunately this isn’t always possible, in which case you may need to consider replacing it with a dental implant in Kent.
Sports Mouthguards Help Avoid Injuries to Your Teeth
Obviously we would prefer you to keep your natural teeth wherever possible, and quite often sports injuries can be avoided with a sports mouthguard. You can buy these over-the-counter, but it is far better to have one custom made for you. This is something we can easily do for you, and it could save you a lot of money and pain! Custom made sports mouthguards precisely fit your mouth, so they are very comfortable to wear, ensuring you’ll actually feel like wearing it when you are playing your favourite sport. If you have children who are keen on sports then you might want to think about protecting their teeth in this way as well.
If you are interested in getting a sports mouthguard, or if it is already too late, a dental implant, then why not give us a call to book a consultation? You can phone us on 01474 537191, or you can fill in the enquiry form online at www.parrockdental.co.uk.