A dental injury can happen unexpectedly – during sports, a fall, or even everyday activities. In such moments, the most important thing is to stay calm and know how to act.
First Aid for a Dental Injury
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Stay calm – bleeding can be controlled by applying a clean gauze or tissue.
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Find the broken piece or the whole tooth – keep it, it may still be used.
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Call us as soon as possible – in dental trauma, hours and sometimes even minutes make a difference.
Is it a baby tooth or a permanent tooth?
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Baby teeth – if knocked out, they are not replanted, to avoid damaging the developing permanent tooth. These teeth are monitored, and treatment depends on their stability and condition.
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Permanent teeth – if the entire tooth is knocked out, replantation (placing it back into the socket) is possible. Time is crucial: ideally within 30–60 minutes after the injury.
How to preserve a knocked-out tooth?
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Always hold the tooth by the crown (the white part), never by the root.
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Do not scrub it with a toothbrush or soap – gently rinse with clean water or saline.
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Store the tooth:
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ideally back in the mouth, inside the cheek,
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or in a container with milk or saline solution.
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The longer the tooth stays outside of a proper environment, the lower the chance it can be saved.
Broken tooth – what next?
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Small chip or crack – often restored with a composite filling.
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Larger fracture – the tooth can often be saved with root canal treatment and a crown.
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Tooth broken down to the root – sometimes extraction is necessary, followed by implant treatment.
When to see a dentist immediately?
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if a permanent tooth has been completely knocked out,
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if the tooth is loose, painful, or has changed its position,
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if bleeding does not stop,
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if it happens to a child and you are unsure whether it’s a baby tooth or a permanent one.
👉 In cases of dental trauma, the sooner you visit the dental office, the greater the chance of saving the tooth. At Madaras Dental, we are ready to provide you with fast and professional care.