Need Help With a Knocked Out Tooth or Dental Injury?
A dental injury can be sudden and stressful, whether it involves a knocked out tooth, a chip, or trauma to the gums and jaw. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of saving a tooth and avoiding complications. At Gentle Dental Centre in Wanneroo, we’re experienced in handling dental injuries and providing the urgent care you need to restore comfort and function.
What to Do Immediately After a Dental Injury
If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, staying calm and acting quickly is key. Pick the tooth up carefully by the crown (the top part), avoiding the root as much as possible. If it’s dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline, but never scrub or use tap water. If you can, place the tooth back into its socket, holding it in place by biting gently on a soft cloth.
If reinserting the tooth isn’t possible, store it in milk or inside your cheek to keep it moist and get to a dentist straight away. For children who have accidentally knocked out a baby tooth, do not try to put it back in. Instead, book an urgent dental appointment so we can assess the area and ensure there’s no damage to the surrounding teeth or gums. Ideally, reimplantation of a permanent tooth should happen within 30 to 60 minutes for the best outcome.
Types of Dental Injuries
Not all dental injuries involve a tooth being completely knocked out. Sometimes the damage is less obvious but still requires urgent attention. Teeth can be chipped or fractured, loosened or pushed out of position, or experience cracks that aren’t visible immediately. Soft tissues like the lips, gums and cheeks can also be injured.
Even if your tooth looks intact, hidden damage to the root or surrounding bone can occur. That’s why it’s important to have any tooth injury assessed by a dentist as soon as possible.
What Not to Do After a Knocked Out Tooth
When a dental injury happens, there are a few important things to avoid. Don’t touch or clean the root of the tooth, and don’t rinse it under running water. Avoid scrubbing or using chemicals to disinfect it. Most importantly, don’t delay seeking dental treatment. These tissues are delicate, and quick professional care can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
How Gentle Dental Centre Can Help
Our team can provide immediate and follow-up care for a wide range of dental injuries. If the tooth can be saved, we may reimplant and stabilise it. We assess for fractures, nerve damage and gum injuries, and if necessary, provide restorative treatments such as root canal therapy or crowns to protect the tooth. In some cases, we use splints to stabilise the tooth while it heals.
For chipped or broken teeth, we offer fillings and crowns to restore their appearance and strength. We also monitor injured teeth over time to make sure they remain healthy and stable after the trauma. Our priority is always to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible.
Preventing Dental Injuries
While accidents can happen, many dental injuries are preventable. If you or your child plays contact sports, wearing a custom mouthguard is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your teeth. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or pens, and keep up with regular dental check-ups so we can spot potential issues early and keep your teeth strong.
When to Call an Emergency Dentist
It’s important to contact an emergency dentist right away if you experience any of the following:
- A permanent tooth has been knocked out
- Severe pain, bleeding or swelling after a dental injury
- A tooth feels loose or has shifted position
- A chip or fracture is causing sensitivity or exposing the nerve
Prompt treatment can often save the tooth and prevent more serious problems from developing later.
Dental Injury FAQ
Can a knocked out tooth be saved?
Yes, a knocked out tooth can often be saved if it’s treated quickly. Reimplanting the tooth within 30 to 60 minutes offers the best chance of success. Even if more time has passed, urgent dental care is still essential to stabilise the tooth and protect the surrounding tissues.
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth accidentally?
If it’s a baby tooth, do not try to put it back in. Call us right away so we can examine the area and make sure there’s no damage to the permanent teeth underneath. If it’s a permanent tooth, handle it gently and follow the same steps you would for an adult, getting to the dentist as quickly as possible.
Is a dental injury always an emergency?
Not every dental injury involves a full tooth avulsion, but all injuries should be assessed promptly. Even small chips or loosened teeth can have hidden root or bone damage that affects the long-term health of the tooth.
How long after a dental injury can you save a tooth?
The sooner, the better. Teeth replanted within 30 minutes have the highest survival rates. After an hour, the chances of success drop, but urgent dental care can still help stabilise or restore the tooth in many cases.
Book Urgent Care for a Dental Injury in Wanneroo
If you’ve experienced a dental injury or knocked out tooth, don’t wait. Call Gentle Dental Centre in Wanneroo for emergency care and expert advice. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of saving your tooth and avoiding long-term complications.
Book an emergency appointment or call us now to speak with our team.
