The tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, making the teeth harder than the bones. No matter how careful you may be, however, you can’t avoid accidents that cause you to chip a tooth or worse, knock one out entirely. An article posted on the Academy of General Dentistry website discusses what you need to do to save a knocked out tooth:

“… It is important to see your dentist within an hour of when your tooth is knocked out for the best chance of the tooth surviving the trauma. Handle the tooth by the crown (the top), not by the root (the pointed part on the bottom).

Touching the root of the tooth can damage cells that are necessary to reattach the tooth to the bone. Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt… Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist… If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk or saline solution (the solution used for contacts)… The patient should be seen as soon as possible to make sure there are no remaining pieces of the tooth.”

If you fail to save your teeth, you would need to undergo a tooth replacement procedure to prevent bone loss and the drifting of your neighboring teeth. Not only will these conditions affect the appearance of your face and smile, but they will promote periodontal disease and tooth decay, as well. To avoid replacement costs and keep your oral environment healthy, visit a trusted Utah emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Typically, emergency dentists in Utah such as those from Alpenglow Dental operate on extended office hours to accommodate untimely situations. These dental professionals will provide immediate treatment to save your tooth and prevent additional damage.

(Article Information and Image from What to Do in a Dental Emergency, Academy of General Dentistry)