How Do You Stop The Bleeding From Knocked Out Tooth?

A knocked out tooth can be a frightening experience. It often results in significant bleeding, and you may not be sure what to do. The best advice in case of a dental trauma is to keep calm and follow these instructions from Forest Lake Endodontics. 

What To Do For a Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked out (avulsed) tooth can often be saved if you act quickly. Pick up the tooth by the crown only and avoid touching the roots. Carefully rinse the tooth in water or milk (use a cup or plug the sink drain first). Then attempt to put the tooth back in the socket. If you can get it back into the correct place, bite down on some sterile gauze folded into a square shape or rolled up. This will help to stop the bleeding and begin the process of reimplantation of the tooth. 

If you are unable to get the tooth back in the socket in the correct position, put the tooth in a cup of milk or saliva. Then bite down on some sterile gauze to stop the bleeding. Spit out the blood rather than swallowing it to prevent nausea. 

When To Seek Treatment

You should always seek treatment immediately for a knocked out tooth, even if you are able to get it back into the socket yourself. The sooner the tooth is treated, the greater the chances that it can be saved. A tooth can remain out of the socket 60 minutes if it is properly stored in milk, saliva, or a tooth preservation kit. 

What To Do For Pain Management

It is safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to manage pain associated with a knocked out tooth. Avoid taking aspirin, which is a blood thinning medication that could make bleeding worse and more difficult to control. 

Treatment For a Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked out tooth can be best treated by an endodontist. This is because a tooth that has sustained trauma is likely to have internal damage, which an endodontist is specially qualified to treat. At the center of each tooth is soft tissue called dental pulp. It contains blood vessels and nerves that sustain the tooth. If there is damage to a tooth it can affect the dental pulp, which threatens the overall health of the tooth. 

The tooth will need to be splinted to the other teeth while the support structures heal and tighten back down around the tooth. Then the tooth will most likely need a root canal, a procedure that removes the dental pulp and replaces it with an artificial material that is resistant to infection. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Trauma 

What should I do if the bleeding from a knocked out tooth is severe? 

If bleeding is uncontrollable or the person loses consciousness, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department. In this case the emergency may have reached the point of being life-threatening. 

What are the chances that a knocked out tooth can be saved? 

When you take the proper steps to preserve the tooth and seek treatment as soon as possible, the chances are high that the tooth can be saved. However, if the tooth is broken or severely damaged, there may be less chance of saving it. 

Knocked Out Tooth? Contact Forest Lake Endodontics 

If you or a loved one has a knocked out tooth, call Forest Lake Endodontics at 651-464-9888 immediately. During regular office hours we will see you as soon as possible. If you reach us after hours please follow the instructions on our voicemail to leave a message and someone will contact you shortly.