What To Do If You've Lost A Permanent Tooth
Losing a tooth as an adult isn't the exciting experience it was when you were a child waiting for the tooth fairy — it's a dental emergency. In some cases, your dentist may be able to re-implant your tooth if you follow the proper steps and seek prompt dental attention — within 30 minutes, if possible. If you can't get to a dentist's office, head to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Find Your Tooth
The first thing you need to do is locate the tooth you lost. Though you'll probably be in panic mode, it's important to handle the tooth very carefully. Only touch the crown, the exposed part of your tooth. Touching the root, the part that was under your gums, could damage it and make re-implantation impossible.
Clean the Tooth
If your tooth fell on the ground or any other dirty surface, rinse it gently. Using a sterile saline solution or saliva is best, but you can run it under a slow stream of lukewarm tap water if necessary. Just make sure not to blast the root with a spray of water that could damage it.
Reposition Your Tooth
Keeping the lost adult tooth in your mouth significantly increases your chances of successful reattachment by your general dentistry professional. Your saliva will keep the tooth moist and help protect the root. Position it back into the empty socket, if possible.
If you can't keep your tooth in your mouth due to an injury, submerge it in a glass of milk until you get to the dentist. The calcium in the milk will help preserve your tooth until you get treatment. Never store a lost tooth in water or any other liquid, and don't wrap it in a cloth or tissue. These things damage the root, and a healthy root is vital to re-implantation.
Seek Treatment
Seeking emergency treatment is vital after you've lost an adult tooth, even if you've swallowed or can't find the tooth. Your dentist will have the highest chance of re-implantation success if you arrive within an hour of the injury, but you might be able to have your tooth reattached even if it's been longer than that.
If there's no chance of successful reattachment due to damage to the tooth or socket, you'll still need to see a dentist quickly. An open socket is a breeding ground for infection, so your dentist might prescribe antibiotics to minimize your risk. Your dentist can discuss other options to keep the surrounding teeth healthy, such as a bridge or implant, if your lost tooth can't be saved.