When chipping a tooth or getting a tooth knocked out, your initial thoughts may be – ‘What do I do now?’. Fear not, receiving a chipped tooth repair or getting a knocked-out tooth put back in is usually doable by a professional dentist.
Initial steps after chipping your tooth
In some cases, chipping your tooth can be painful; it’s entirely down to how bad the chip is. Receiving a chipped tooth repair is more common than you may expect with our experts being highly trained in this specific area.
The initial recommendation from the NHS is to take the broken-off piece of tooth and either put it into a container of milk or your own saliva. Doing so should provide enough of a chance for the dentist to perform the chipped tooth repair, attaching the chipped piece of the tooth back into its place through a glueing procedure.
What to do if you knock out a tooth
Knocking out your tooth is slightly more of an urgent issue which would need to be rectified as soon as possible. The process which is carried out depends on whether the knocked-out tooth is a permanent adult tooth or a baby tooth from a child.
Permanent adult tooth
If the tooth has come out as a whole (crown & root), there are suggested steps from the NHS for encouraging the reintroduction of the tooth into the mouth.
- Pick up the tooth and hold it by the white bit (crown) only.
- Clean the tooth either by licking it or quickly rinsing it under cold water.
- If possible, put the tooth back into the hole in your gum from where it originated.
If the tooth can’t be reintroduced, put the tooth into milk, saliva of the person whose tooth it is or hold it in your cheek until you get to a dentist (adults only as it’s a safety hazard for children).
Baby tooth
It’s slightly more simple for a baby tooth – do not attempt to put the knocked-out tooth back into the child’s mouth as it could cause issues with the growth of new adult teeth.
Unsure if it’s an adult or baby tooth?
If you’re not sure whether it’s a baby tooth or a permanent adult tooth, put the tooth in a container of milk or saliva and see a dentist as soon as possible.
In any case, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible to reduce possible infections and long-term damage in the affected area. In the UK, ringing 111 will present a recommended outcome for your situation.
Finding your nearest 247 dentist
Finding your nearest 247 Dentist couldn’t be easier. We have clinics across the UK to make sure any and all patients are able to receive knocked-out tooth correction or a chipped tooth repair.
Fixing a chipped tooth
Typically, glueing the chipped piece of the tooth back into place is the best cause of action. If that isn’t possible, a filling or a crown will be carried out. If further investigation is needed to be performed by the dentist, and exposed nerves are found, a root canal treatment will be essential for the healing process.
Fixing a knocked-out tooth
Treatment, from a dentist’s point-of-view, is slightly less invasive to achieve a fix. If you have already inserted the tooth back into the correct position, the dentist will check and make any adjustments needed. If you hadn’t placed the tooth back, the dentist will clean it and insert it fully themselves. They’ll then fix the tooth to the teeth on either side to hold it in place – called splinting. You’ll likely need to visit the clinic a couple of weeks after to have the splint removed.
If you couldn’t find the tooth or the dentist isn’t able to save it, the process of fitting a false tooth would be suggested.
The healing and recovery process
The level of recovery needed will differ depending on the amount of work carried out during the knocked-out tooth correction or chipped tooth repair procedure. They will carry out the necessary procedure and inform you of the best course of recovery, likely avoiding the act of chewing using the affected tooth or encouragement to take painkillers if necessary.
Get in touch
If you’ve chipped your tooth or lost it completely, get in touch and our expert dentists will be able to assist in the knocked-out tooth correction or chipped tooth repair procedure and recovery. Find your nearest 247 Dentist clinic today and get booked in.