Even when we take excellent care of our teeth, sometimes accidents happen and cause significant damage. If this happens to you or someone you love, it is critical to get treatment as quickly as possible, because it may be possible to save the affected tooth or teeth!
Dislodged Teeth
Some mouth injuries can push teeth deeper into their sockets. Dr. Rahim may be able to move the tooth back into place and stabilize it, but root canal treatment will most likely be necessary to save the tooth. This will typically take place within a few weeks of the injury. A medication such as calcium hydroxide will be placed in the tooth and eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be implanted.
In cases where a tooth is pushed partially out of its socket, Dr.Rahim may stabilize it, and if the pulp wasn’t damaged, it might not need further treatment. If the pulp was damaged, however, it will need root canal treatment. Leaving it untreated could lead to complications such as infection of the tooth and surrounding tissue, inadequate hygiene, and tooth loss.
Avulsed Teeth
When an injury knocks a tooth out completely, come straight to Rahim or to your general dentist for treatment! Make sure to keep the tooth moist, ideally by putting it back into the socket (if possible). If the tooth remains moist, it can usually be saved. If it isn’t possible to keep it in the socket, store it in milk. Avoid touching the root at all — even to clean it, because this could damage it. The length of time the tooth spends out of your mouth and the way you store it will impact the type of treatment you receive.
Let Dr. Rahim Save Your Tooth
Fast action on your part is one of the crucial components of giving a tooth damaged by injury its best chance, and the experience of Dr. Rahim is the other. If you have any questions about what to do in the event of a mouth injury, just give us a call at (703) 327-5533.
