HOW TO PROCEED WHEN YOU LOSE A TOOTH Q: What should I do if I knock a tooth out in an accident? A: Kids are not the only ones who are vulnerable to having a tooth knocked out in a roughhousing situation or a fall off a bike. A fall, car accident, collision with a tennis doubles partner-any number of sudden, unexpected events can result in a tooth loss. So here's what to do if you have a tooth knocked out: First, retrieve the tooth if you can. Depending on the environment, keep the tooth moist with either saliva, or milk. Don't scrub it clean because any fibers still attached could be helpful if there's an opportunity to replant the tooth. That having been said, go to your dentist-as opposed to a hospital emergency room-as quickly as possible. If he can reseat it within a reasonable time, the likelihood of saving the tooth increases. Likewise, if you break or chip a tooth, try to retrieve the broken off fragment. If the dentist cannot repair the tooth with the retrieved part, depending on the size of the chip, he may be able to repair it with a tooth-colored resin. For a more sizable chip, the dentist may have to put a crown on the tooth. If a tooth is knocked loose, you may be able to push it back into place yourself. But in any case involving dental trauma, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. The effects of trauma are not always evident. There may be damage that only an x-ray could detect. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 HOW TO PROCEED WHEN YOU LOSE A TOOTH Q: What should I do if I knock a tooth out in an accident? A: Kids are not the only ones who are vulnerable to having a tooth knocked out in a roughhousing situation or a fall off a bike. A fall, car accident, collision with a tennis doubles partner-any number of sudden, unexpected events can result in a tooth loss. So here's what to do if you have a tooth knocked out: First, retrieve the tooth if you can. Depending on the environment, keep the tooth moist with either saliva, or milk. Don't scrub it clean because any fibers still attached could be helpful if there's an opportunity to replant the tooth. That having been said, go to your dentist-as opposed to a hospital emergency room-as quickly as possible. If he can reseat it within a reasonable time, the likelihood of saving the tooth increases. Likewise, if you break or chip a tooth, try to retrieve the broken off fragment. If the dentist cannot repair the tooth with the retrieved part, depending on the size of the chip, he may be able to repair it with a tooth-colored resin. For a more sizable chip, the dentist may have to put a crown on the tooth. If a tooth is knocked loose, you may be able to push it back into place yourself. But in any case involving dental trauma, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. The effects of trauma are not always evident. There may be damage that only an x-ray could detect. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554