Knocked-Out Teeth? Here’s What You Should Do In A Dental Emergency

Around five million teeth are knocked out every year by both children and adults. Proper emergency action can save the tooth and it can be planted back successfully, which will last for years to come. If you accidentally knocked out your tooth, contact our emergency dentist in Reno, NV. Remember a few of the following tooth-saving steps that you can take till you reach medical support:

1. Hold The Tooth By The Crown

If a tooth is knocked out, try to locate the tooth. Pick it up by the crown i.e., handle the tooth by the chewing surface area, and do not touch the root. The root contains important fibers, known as periodontal ligaments, which are essential to ensure proper healing.

2. Gently Rinse The Tooth 

If the tooth is dirty, use water to gently rinse off any dirt. Do not use soap or any other chemicals. Don’t dry or scrub the tooth or wrap the tooth in a tissue or cloth.

3. Reposition The Tooth In The Socket Immediately

Try to put the tooth back into the socket gently with your fingers by holding it from the crown. Then position it above your socket and close your mouth slowly. Hold it in place by slowly biting it down or placing your fingers on it. Bring your child to our Emergency dentist in Reno, NV, immediately.

4. Keep The Tooth Moist

The tooth must be moist all the time in your mouth. If it can’t be placed back into the socket, put it in milk or your mouth or cheek. Don’t use regular tap water as the root surface cells can’t tolerate water for extended periods.

5. Contact A Dentist 

Bring the tooth with you to your emergency appointment within 30 minutes. However, it is possible to save the tooth if it remains outside the mouth for an hour or more. Contact us now for an Emergency Dentist in Reno, NV

At The Dentist

If you have put your tooth back in yourself, the dentist will check if it is in the correct position by having a look and taking an x-ray. If you put your tooth in milk, the dentist will numb the affected area and reposition the tooth. In any case, they will splint it to the teeth on either side to hold it in position for two weeks. It is a system that temporarily attaches the tooth to keep it in place.

A Lost Tooth

If you can’t find your tooth, the space will be filled with one of the restorative dentistry procedures:

  • Dentures are removable false teeth that you have to take out to clean.
  • A dental bridge is when a false tooth is glued to the teeth on either side using special cement.
  • A dental implant is where a titanium screw is set in the jaw bone, and a few months later, a false tooth is custom-made.

These treatments will improve your smile and restore your confidence. It is always best to consult.

Emergency Dentist In Reno, NV

If you knocked out a tooth and want an Emergency Dentist in Reno contact us now. We provide same-day emergency dentistry appointments in Reno, NV, and we also have virtual dental consulting available! Book your free consultation appointment today.  


Avoid Sports Dental Emergencies: Protect Those Teeth!

sports dentistry Reno

It is estimated that over 5 million teeth are knocked out yearly and a significant portion of these dental traumas occur on the playing field or court. Each dislodged tooth requires several trips to the dentist and hundreds of dollars in restoration expenses. Not to mention pain!

I’m Dr. Shane Sykes of The Reno Dentist and I want to raise awareness of the importance of athletic mouth protection. I advise my patients to think of mouthguards as an important part of their protective gear. Most Reno parents require their children to wear helmets when biking and shinguards while playing soccer. I encourage parents to emphasize the importance of mouth protection from your child’s very first 5 year-old T-ball game. And we all need to practice what we preach.

You are probably aware of the main types of mouthguards: ready-to-wear, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed but are definitely not one-size-fits all and probably provide the least amount of protection. (Though they are better than nothing.)

You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at Reno sporting goods stores. They are to be softened in water and then formed to the mouth (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

Some Reno dentists offer custom sports mouthguards that provide the highest level of protection and comfort. Mouth protectors that are comfortable are more likely to be worn by kids who complain about wearing a mouthguard. Ask your dentist about custom mouthguards.

Mouth protection is extremely vital for Reno patients with braces or fixed bridge work. Some Reno orthodontists recommend mouth protectors for lower teeth as well.

If you or your child has a sports-related dental emergency, call my Reno office immediately at 775-323-0700. I will do everything in my power to save the tooth but every second counts. Make sure you save all pieces of the tooth and bring them with you.

Dr. Shane Sykes
The Reno Dentist
855 W Seventh St Ste 200
Reno Nevada
775-323-0700
https://therenodentist.com/about/our-doctors/